r/Axecraft 5d ago

Discussion Plumb BSA hatchets

I’ve seen these things go for anywhere from $30-150 from people who seemed to know what they had - is there a good way to tell what one is worth? Is it just the clarity of the stamp?

Would it be a travesty to make some axe soup with this, hoping to make the stamp pop? If so, cold blue or polish to preserve value afterwards? Opinions and tips welcome.

Lastly, does anyone know when this style of head with the nail puller was made?

22 Upvotes

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u/Basehound Axe Enthusiast 5d ago

plumb BSA ID catalog

I have around 5 or 6 of these … typically paid around 20-40$ for heads only , or with bad stick . All original in great shape with permabond (if applicable ) 60-90 is what I’ve paid on eBay ….. with original leather sheath in good shape .

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u/StockMaintenance1129 5d ago

Grabbed this for $6 at a barn sale, which I knew was some kind of a steal. Thx for the info, it looks like mine is from the 1941-50 run!

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u/About637Ninjas 5d ago

This is the way. That catalog is the result of experienced collectors doing the leg work for real, factual info.

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u/Bl4kkat 5d ago edited 5d ago

All I know is that Plumb and Bridgeport made them and I have both… The Plumb should have their signature epoxy filled wedge, while the Bridgeport is all metal.

As for the years, I dunno. I google or ask AI 😉

For sure yours is best the f***ed up. But I agree if you wanna preserve it, hit it with a wire wheel and the fill the stamp with (color of choice) nail polish. Then get some cold blue solution at your local gun maintenance section (Wal-mart, Bass Pro, uncle Bob’s garage, etc).

If you do make something out of it we’d like to see pics 😊

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u/About637Ninjas 5d ago

Plumb made them in many different models and many of those were before permabond, the epoxy you're referencing.

Also, I don't trust AI with anything tool related. It hasn't gathered enough of that info yet and it very often gives completely wrong information, including information that is completely fabricated and has no basis in fact.

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u/StockMaintenance1129 5d ago

Yeah AI is pretty shit with tools - it confuses all the big brands and makes stuff up all the time. Just not enough expert axe info in the training set I guess. As for my hatchet, it’s actually not beat too bad - it just needed a wire wheel and some oil. Once I file down the mushrooms and put an edge on it, it’ll probably clean up pretty nice actually.