Object number
52/57
Description
This is the axe head of a chisel-edged broad axe. It was found in a garden in Elmdon, Essex. This type of axe was used by carpenters and joiners for hewing timber. Unlike ordinary broad axes, it is sharpened to a basil edge on the right side only like a chisel. It would have been used with both hands, the log face being set up against the workman's left side. The axe is constructed for accurate cutting along a chalk line, and the left face must slide flat over the wood. Therefore, the right side must be basilled with a cutting edge. These axes usually had handles which bent to the right and thus protected the workman's knuckles. The handle is missing on this specimen. It has a heavy poll behind the blade for heavy hammering work.
Physical description
1 broad axe: metal [iron]; good condition
Archival history
MERL Catalogue Form (temporary) – Sheet 1 of1 No. 52/57// Specimen Location: MERL // Collection: Id. No. 52/574 // Identification: Object name: AXE - broad // Other name: // Class: CRAFTS-WOOD // system: MERL// further descr. [tick] notes// further hist. [tick] notes // conservation: [tick] workshop return // Description: Condition: good // date: 24.11.75 // Completeness: head only // date: 24.11.75 // Material(s): Iron // Dimensions: name Length 22.0 cm Width of head 30.0 cm // Marks Inscription/Mark: // Interest Association: Place found// Associate: Essex, Saffron Walden // Repr. Cur. pho.: 35/1222 // Reference: // Acquisition: Source: J. Cross, Saffron Walden, Essex // Method: Gift // date: 1952 //Notes (continued overleaf): A chisel edged broad axe made of iron and with a flat socket. It was dug up in a garden. // Cataloguing Cataloguer: JMB // of: MERL // date: 24.11.75 // Store: Collection 3', MERL ‘Workshop Treatment’ form – ‘Date: 18/2/67// Accession Number: 52/57 // Name of object: BROAD AXE (HEAD ONLY) // Description of treatment…: Treated in deoxidine but some rust left in the socket. Fine steel edge showing up. Plus three coats of 'kensynth' JW Aintree’, MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘AXE (BROAD) // DATE ACQUIRED: March, 1952 // GROUP: CRAFTS -WOOD // NEGATIVE: 35/1222 // PERIOD: Unknown // PLACE OF ORIGIN: Presented by J. Cross, Esq., of Saffron Walden, Essex. // NUMBER: 52/57 // DESCRIPTION: This axe head was dug up in the garden at Elmden, Saffron Walden (Essex). Nothing it, therefore, known of its origin. // It is a chisel edged broad axe, used by carpenters and joiners for hewing timber. Unlike ordinary broad axes, it is sharpened to a basil edge on the right side only like a chisel. It was used with both hands, the log face being set up against the workman's left side so that it was only the fingers of the right hand that intervened between the log and the axe handle. The axe is constructed for accurate cutting along a chalk line, and the left face must slide flat over the wood, therefore, the right side must be basilled with a cutting edge. // These axes usually had handles which bent to the right and thus protected the workman's knuckles. The handle is missing on this specimen. It has a heavy poll behind the blade for heavy hammering work.// The blade is 12.25 inches broad and 4.5 inches deep, with the handle socket and poll measuring 4 inches in width. It is made of steel and shows the petrified remains of the half in the socket. [verso] [photograph]‘
Object name
Material
Dimensions
- Length 220 mm
- Width 300 mm
Associated subject