Help and comments on an Axe head

[David R]

To sum up then, French made in the first half of the 19thC or earlier,... because you don't need power hammers to get good forge welds, (trust me on this).
Next up, recommendations on cleaning, just oiling and leaving or a good scrub down?

[fernando]

Scrubbing with a non aggressive brush could be a good idea, as it will 'brighten' it without eliminating (existing ?) patina.
Oiling is always good, even if its need is this case is not nourishing the material.

[asomotif]

Maybe it reads :

Farenc
Bedarieux

[David R]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Maybe it reads :

Farenc
Bedarieux

That certainly looks possible, does that indicate/say anything about date and area of origin?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Maybe it reads :

Farenc
Bedarieux

Interesting suggestion; a smith called (last name) Farenc, with a workshop in Bedarieux.
Browsing on the city, the only possible connection found is a restaurant, called La Forge, converted from a XVII century forging workshop. Possibly nothing to do with Farenc's axe.

[David R]

Originally Posted by fernando

Interesting suggestion; a smith called (last name) Farenc, with a workshop in Bedarieux.
Browsing on the city, the only possible connection found is a restaurant, called La Forge, converted from a XVII century forging workshop. Possibly nothing to do with Farenc's axe.

Fun though to speculate. I think I will keep this one after all.