53/216

This axe is of a very old pattern known in Herefordshire as a 'Colin Bill'. Its distinguishing feature is that the handle is not hafted into a round socket in the head as is usual, but a flat extension of the head has been hammered round, half encircling a section of the handle. Two rivets attach the handle to the head.

1 axe: metal, wood

MERL object label - 'This axe is, in the method of fixing the helve, very like a Herefordshire pattern called a 'Colin Bill', known to be of great antiquity // Lent by the Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading.', MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘AXE // DATE ACQUIRED: June 1953 // GROUP: FORESTRY felling // NEGATIVE: 35/2179 // PERIOD: Not known // PLACE OF ORIGIN: The Titus Barham Collection // NUMBER: 53/216T // DESCRIPTION: This axe from the Titus Barham Collection is of a very old pattern kniwn in Herefordshire as a Colin Bill. Its distinguishing feature is that the handle is not hafted into a round socket in the head as is usual, but a flat extension of the head has been hammered round, half encircling a section of the handle. Two rivets attach the handle to the head. // The origin of the aze is not known but it measures a total length of 33 inches. The cutting edge is 5.0 inches long and the head is 6.7 inches hight. The Colin Bill is of great antiquity and a similar type was found in the ruins of Goodrich Castle, Hereford. // [insert] R.C.B. Gardner of the Royal Forestry Society says that this is a Hereford type of axe and is known as a Colin Bill. (See correspondence in file 54/415 - 54/416 [end insert].'

Metal, Wood

Sawn, Riveted