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I thought I'd share some interesting hatchets before I put them on S&S not everyone cruises down there (yea right) but at least this is a better spot for discussion. I have two of these metal handle hatchets and from what little I've found they were mostly used by railroad inspectors to open and close crates. Some said the handles were hollow so a longer wooden handle could be fitted, both of mine are narrower at the open end of the handle so I have my doubts. One says Bur-Nor on the blade and handle the other says nothing, but clearly the same manufacturer. But-Nor is short for Burgess Norton, of Geneva, Ill.

Here are the Pics.

<img src="http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m628/boatman53/For%20sale/image_zpsdnvuuc6b.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo image_zpsdnvuuc6b.jpeg"/>

<img src="http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m628/boatman53/For%20sale/image_zpszcdpbrky.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo image_zpszcdpbrky.jpeg"/>

<img src="http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m628/boatman53/For%20sale/image_zpsvy5sjjgk.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo image_zpsvy5sjjgk.jpeg"/>

 <img src="http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m628/boatman53/For%20sale/image_zps8ent1yaw.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo image_zps8ent1yaw.jpeg"/>

<img src="http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m628/boatman53/For%20sale/image_zpssii2urfm.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo image_zpssii2urfm.jpeg"/>

So what do you think odd?, rare? I don't think I would use them which is why they have to go.
Jim

They look very collectible.

Looks like early models of roofing hatchets or pallet hatchets.  The notch in the second one is used for pulling out nails.

The other one has a claw nail puller.

Idle musing leads one to think a crate being inspected may want to be closed again. A flat bar might be more useful than a hatchet in that case. Interesting tools. I would have guessed Burlington Northern for the mark.

Interesting looking Hatchets for sure, I don't have a clue what they would have been used for but I think you got got some good response's. Thanks for sharing.



Steve

I agree with Blackhat it would not be my first choice for opening a crate, but that was the only info I could find. Thanks for the replies.
Jim

Thanks for the info. I have had one for years and wondered why it had a tack puller.



It is shown with my 40+ year old blade guard. The initials BM stand for Bernard Mann, the previous owner. It is the commonly known Shinola brand.


I don't know where he got it from and cannot ask since he passed away in 1970. He was a machinist mate during WWII. Swapped watches with one of his buddies and happened to be on deck when his destroyer was torpedoed. He was one of the few survivors and always had survivor's guilt.


He cared enough for this hatchet to scribe his name on one face and his initials on the other. I have taken good care of it for some 46 years as the keeper of old tools and old stories.