Tool Talk

Woodworking Forum => Woodworking Forum => Topic started by: john k on June 07, 2012, 11:35:53 PM

Title: An aluminum axe!
Post by: john k on June 07, 2012, 11:35:53 PM

Found this in a pawn shop.   Not a new super alloy aluminum, in fact may date to the 1920s.   Is a full size axe,  with a pine handle stained to look like oak.   The initials stand for Modern Woodmen of America.   A life assurance society, a little different than life insurance.   Fraternal organizations grew up all over the country, and they had drill teams for parades, carrying this style of axe.  Just found the belt buckle, same group, same era.  Good looking axe, another wall hanger!

Title: Re: An aluminum axe!
Post by: scottg on June 08, 2012, 01:53:39 AM

Wow how cool is this??
 They did an outstanding casting job too. Look at that embossing
Sweet
 yours Scott
 

Title: Re: An aluminum axe!
Post by: Neals on June 08, 2012, 03:47:58 AM

Those must have cost a pretty penny. Not sure when aluminium stopped being a precious metal but not to long before that I think

Title: Re: An aluminum axe!
Post by: Papaw on June 08, 2012, 04:44:21 PM

Display quality, for sure!

Title: Re: An aluminum axe!
Post by: rusty on June 08, 2012, 04:55:38 PM

>Not sure when aluminium stopped being a precious metal

Electrolytic reduction of alumnium was invented around 1888....

Technology for casting it was largely a result of the first world war.

By 1920 it was reasonably priced, and how to cast it properly was known, but it was still rather uncommon to make ordinary everyday objects out of it...