Native American spike tomahawk, fur trade pole axes and skinning knives

[Jim McDougall]

This is an amazing thread Capn, and interesting, but understandable, that these kinds of tools could easily serve as weapons whether naval shipboard arms, settlers tools or indeed American Indian weapons. It has been known of course that Indian tomahawks of assorted forms were of manufacture of American or European source from the 18th c. on.

The Underhill Edge Tool Co. began in 1820s with forge on Chester Rd. near Auburn, N.H.
In 1835, they acquired mill in Auburn Village and continued forging.

In 1852, George Underhill (1815-1882) with John Guage and other investors created Nashua Edge Tool Co.

In 1879 Nashua Edge acquired Amokeag Axe. Co.

In 1890 American Axe and Tool bought Nashua Edge.
They closed Nashua plant and moved to Douglas , Mass. as Douglas Axe mfg. but continued the Underhill brand.

It sounds like UNDERHILL name as a brand was kept. through these name changes (see attached 1859 catalog, reprinted 1980 by Ken Roberts publ.)

It seems like UNDERHILL was stamped on one side of head, with AMERICAN AXE on other.
Other examples with Underhill one side, O on the other.

In a somber but intriguing note, It is said that LIZZIE BORDEN used an UNDERHILL axe in the heinous murders that she was charged with in Fall River, Mass. Aug.14,1892.

However the forensics of this murder and clouded evidence were likely the reason she was acquitted. Actually, in the basement there were two hatchets; two axes and a hatchet head with broken handle found.
While none had blood on blades, presumably the broken handle was assumed due to that use.
The first pic (a poll axe) is the one purportedly used by Lizzie.

In other literature, the axe shown with images of Lizzie is a curious spike type, but no further detail offered......curious.