Fireman's Axe

[Youngguns]

OK boys and girls, a recent addition to the family:
Before:


After:


Now, I'm a big fan of my axes, so I would greatly appreciate this thing being identified. Sadly, all I have to go off of is this:


I can clearly see an "& O", but that's all I can clearly see. I feel like I can see all kinds of sh*t everywhere else around that though. Is this enough information for any of you out there to identify this tool? Any information regarding a possible manufacturer, or fire axes in general is appreciated.

 

[mach158]

My guess would be B & O (Baltimore and Ohio) railroad fire axe.

Edit: Guess the railroad calls it a fire axe, but in my world that is a pick head axe.

 

[Jeremy77]

Could also be G&O railroad as well....

 

[Youngguns]

Duck, I tried that approach while I was looking at it, and I did find an angle that looked better than the rest, but I still couldn't make anything of it! Mach and Jeremy, my railroad history isn't the best, did the railways issue fire axes? That could certainly be an option based on my location.

 

[shanny19]

Other railroads that ended in O included the Chesapeake & Ohio and the Gulf, Mobile, & Ohio.

If you know the axe to be local, think about school districts as well.
MANY, many more pick head axes saw duty on school buses than fire engines.

 

[wvrailroader]

Duck, I tried that approach while I was looking at it, and I did find an angle that looked better than the rest, but I still couldn't make anything of it! Mach and Jeremy, my railroad history isn't the best, did the railways issue fire axes? That could certainly be an option based on my location.

Yes, railroads did issue fire axes. I have seen them (or the empty racks) on the few old cabooses that remain. They are still in our equipment catalogs and can be ordered. You may very well have an old railroad fire axe. I see that you are in Western Maryland, so if you obtained the axe locally, there is a good chance it is from the B&O.

I know it is an obscure movie, but if anyone has ever seen the Ernest Borgnine/Lee Marvin movie "Emperor of the North Pole", the final fight scene at the end involves the use of a fire axe that was on the caboose.

 

[jal395]

Great movie. Retitled if anyone goes looking for it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070030/
Own the DVD and watch it about once a year.

No clue on your axe.

 

[Lippyp]

Gotta love an old axe. When I took over as my scout group QM I was going through the stores and took all the axes home to check and sharpen them. The two big ones we have are both WWII dated US army issue still with traces of olive drab paint!

 

[Youngguns]

Another one! A boy's fire axe.
"1
P"

 

[ttpete]

Great movie. Retitled if anyone goes looking for it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070030/
Own the DVD and watch it about once a year.

No clue on your axe.

One of the best RR movies. Perfect cast.

Another is "The Train" with Burt Lancaster.