Broadax

Object Name:

Broadax

Object ID:

1997.029.01

Creator:

Adams, Ezekiel (1811-1867)

Place of Origin:

Hopkinton, NH/Webster, NH

Date:

circa 1850

Description:

Broad ax. Made by Ezekiel Adams, Hopkinton or Webster, NH, c. 1850. Wrought iron axe head, wooden handle. Auction lot 334. A. Ax head. Flattened butt end, wedge-shaped slot for handle, and broad tapered blade. Several embossed marks: "E.ADAMS" near butt end; "P" on reverse near butt end; and "T CO__" on reverse center of blade. Several chips on blade. 7.5" x 10.75" x 1.5". B. Handle. Hickory(?) staff that gradually flattens from base to head. No maker's marks. 21.6" x 2.4" (at top) x 0.75" (at top).

Material:

Metal
Wood

Dimensions:

H-23.5 W-10.75 D-1.5 inches

Provenance:

Tools purchased at the Fred Courser Days tool auction (lot #334), selected to represent tool makers not previously in NHHS tool collection.
Fred Courser Days tool auction (October 18, 1997), Hillsborough, NH. Auction of ~500 New Hampshire-made tools (hammers, planes, edged tools, etc.) from the estate of Fred Courser. Fred Courser (1915-1996), Warner, NH. Highly respected tool collector, specializing in 19th-century New Hampshire-made tools.
Ezekiel Adams, Hopkinton and Webster, NH. Toolmaker, known especially for high quality axes. Adams's axes were sold in the hardware store of Gustavus Walker, Concord, NH.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Purchase

People:

Adams, Ezekiel (1811-1867)

Subjects:

Axes