Old axe i picked up on ebay

[Dhamma]

Seller told me it was from turn of the century and he got it from an antique shop in Switzerland. He said it was a military man's axe, "AZ" bearing his initials. Can anyone who knows more than me confirm the age/authenticity? It looks like the original sling material on it. Makes a great conversation piece in my office!

 

[jshamster]

pretty hard to tell what it is with the size of yer pics.

[mattp]

I don't think they had teeth on the ice axes made 109 years ago.

I could be wrong. Without any real specific knowledge of ice axe

development my general "take" is that it is more like mid-century.

[Dhamma]

i just uploaded them to photobucket. i dont know how to make them smaller. if anyone knows id sure appreciate the help

[billcoe]

I'm guessing 1940s-1950 (I think that carabiner holes came in the 50s? )

 

Maybe an expert will weigh in though. What did you pay?

 

ps, I have a similar axe in my basement with a Mfg name on it, some Euro company. It's seen a few easy summits with me. Good looking axe, love the richness of the wood. Nice find. Suggest wiping the metal down with Eezox to better preserve it.

[olyclimber]

seems like wooden ice axes have been a hot commodity for some time now. like wooden snow shoes, for the cabin.

[Dhamma]

ok pics fixed. i paid 200 (which i thought was a lot, but i like the way it looks)

Edited November 6, 2009 by Dhamma

[jshamster]

When you upload them to photobucket resize them. Or make a new copy in photobucket that is a different size. I'm an idiot when it comes to this stuff, but photobucket told me how to do it all.

[Joe_Poulton]

I'm not sure of that one...but I do know that the earliest versions did not have teeth as seen in my photos below:

 

 

The above image is a framed ice axe that I have on my wall. I believe this one was homemade as there are no markings denoting a company of any kind and it's teeth are barely visible.

 

 

The two on the sides that are longer have no teeth...age is unknown by me but it would seem that axes with teeth are newer then axes without....I'd email Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, CO since he has such an extensive collection of mountaineering gear..

Edited November 6, 2009 by Joe_Poulton

[Skeezix]

You paid too much. But it doesn't matter if you like it.

 

I like old axes too. It's fun to imagine where it's been...

[Dhamma]

I'm not sure of that one...but I do know that the earliest versions did not have teeth as seen in my photos below:

 

 

The above image is a framed ice axe that I have on my wall. I believe this one was homemade as there are no markings denoting a company of any kind and it's teeth are barely visible.

 

 

The two on the sides that are longer have no teeth...age is unknown by me but it would seem that axes with teeth are newer then axes without....I'd email Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, CO since he has such an extensive collection of mountaineering gear..

 

those are beautiful! did you varnish the handles?

[Joe_Poulton]

My Uncle takes good care of his gear....He handed all of these down to me. When I move in to a house from this Condo I plan to display these.

[Dane]

My 2 cents...is turn of the century is possible, Oldest axe posted in this thread so far. Head shape and size tell you that. $200 was a fair price.