As a follow up to my post about counterfeiting axes by use of CNC modification, I wanted to share some tips on noting fake axes based on historical inaccuracies. These mistakes and “Faux Pas” are much more common due to the lack of intelligence and education that such counterfeiters exhibit, and are a key sign that an axe is not authentic. Though there are countless mistakes that can be made in this category, I’ll review three types of mistakes that have been made on axes produced recently by an eBay seller who sells under the name “Petronea”.
1) Historic axe marks placed on period incorrect axe heads:
Axe etches and stamps were used by their manufacturers in periods that either the crafter or the manufacturer was in business, and seeing these marks on heads that were obviously produced in other generations is a telltale sign that the axe is a fake.
For instance, on the above axe, we see a “Kelly Axe Mfg Co.” Black Raven stamp on a Mann Edge Tool Company head from the late 70s and 80s. These heads were market under both the Mann Edge Too Company and the Collins Company’s names, as at the time, the Collins Company had become a subsidiary of M.E.T. Co. We often find these heads with the “M”, “M1”, and other M.E.T. Co. known stamps, as well as Collins labels. At the time they were produced and noted in the M.E.T. Co. catalogs, that company was a major competitor of the Kelly company. Along with being the totally incorrect manufacturing for the head, the Black Raven line was produced solely from around 1912 until World War II. This is a known fact. Along with that fact, we also know that the classic Black Raven etch with “Kelly Axe Mfg Co” noted on it was only used between 1920 and 1932, which means this is an etch (or CNC carving in this case) placed on an axe that wasn’t even manufactured until 40 years later. Add to that that this eBay seller calls what is easily noted as a “Neo-Michigan Pattern” a “Cedar Pattern”, and this listing is one of the worst attempts at counterfeiting in the recent past.
Another example of this type of counterfeiting can be seen on etches placed on the ever popular “Ridge Eyed” axe heads. This seller has made this mistake a number of times, adding to the obviousness of his nefarious work. Ridge eyed axes were created under a patent that was registered in 1959 by Harry B. Stump, an engineer working for the True Temper Corporation. They were used from 1960 until around 1977-78, well after the era of etched axes. There is an etched axe currently advertised on eBay with a “Geo. A. Lowe. Co.”. This company was operating out of Iowa and Nevada in the 1840s, but restructured and relocated to Ogden, Utah, in the late 1880s. Though they still advertised under that name into the 1970s, they verifiably were not advertising using etched axes after the 1930s. To see an axe obviously manufactured 20 years later with an older etch (in this case, as noted previously, a CNC replication) is quite an obvious situation. Along with that, noting the “.” or period obviously cut after “Lowe” which is not shortened in any way, certainly points at the intelligence of the counterfeiter. The same seller has also sold Black Raven etched axes that contained ridges in the eye. As stated before, the Black Raven line was discontinued by the Kelly companies in 1945, and the ridged eye axes were not produced until 1960.
2) Marks used together that are from different eras, companies, or lines
A second mistake, generally used by overzealous counterfeiters, is the inappropriate use of stamps or etches that do not go together. As a prime example, eBay user name “Petronea” offered a nicely etched “Red Warrior” axe that suspiciously included a “Mann, Lewistown, PA” stamp on the opposite side. Talk about a significant “Faux Pas”. The Red Warrior line was first created by William Mann and Company, with James H. Mann patenting the image as a label patent in 1868 prior to the modern trademark era. Both the company and James would join the American Axe and Tool Company in 1890, with a cousin of James, Joseph Mann, being made Superintendent of the company at that time. In 1892, Joseph Mann had an explosive falling out with the A.A.&T.Co., and left to start his own company in Lewistown, PA, under the name Mann Edge Tool Company. The two companies despised each other, and would NEVER have used each other’s marks together. However, Mann Edge Tool Company heads are abundant and cheap, and for a hungry counterfeiter pawning marbles and match box cars on eBay, an easy buy to throw a more expensive etch on and sell as a counterfeit to an unexpecting collector.
Likewise, within one company, lines were distinct, and when the lines were mixed, there are significant historical notes of that mixing. Otherwise, those lines are distinct and have their own attributes. In the case of the following items, we see the etch of the very distinctive Kelly Black Raven, with the stamp of the Kelly Perfect, an axe offered as a beveled head. The “True Temper” over “Kelly Perfect” stamp was used later than the Black Raven etch, and never together, as they were two distinct lines.
3) Names and marks from American Axe Makers used on axes produced in differing countries
American Axe makers have a very distinctive style. Historic manufacturers peaked in a time of nationalism, war, and American patriotism, and those who lived through the late 1800s battled amazingly high competitiveness with European makers. This make the use of their marks highly unlikely to be found on distinctively European axes. Seeing iconic names such as Isaiah Blood, who was a U.S. Senator, on a European “Goosewing” style axe is relatively humorous. Knowing that Blood, who died in 1871, used “Cast Steel”, not “Case Steel” as is noted on numerous “Petronea” sold axes, is distinctly humorous, rather than relatively.
Another example is this modern era made Chinese (Hunan Province) made head with a, Ad-Har-Co, New York, mark on it………as is said way to often these days, you can’t make this stuff up.
The above 3 types of examples are very easily noted historic inaccuracies that can easily help you identify counterfeit axes. The look of an etch or stamp can be recreated, copied, and counterfeited, but the way an axe and its marks are made is quite difficult to copy. This is especially true for those who have little to no knowledge about historic manufacturing processes and the time line that axes were made under. Though many people defend such “fantasy pieces”, it should be noted that selling such items as “authentic” or “vintage” is not only against eBay policies, but is also against U.S. laws. These actions constitute legitimate fraud, and though small cost fraudulent activities are often overlooked by law enforcement, continued activity adds up, and once a minimum threshold is crossed, it’s much easier to prosecute. Those defending these fraudulent counterfeiters as “not knowing they have fake pieces” should certainly think about the vast numbers that ONE individual is selling, and ask themselves if they truly believe this person is unaware of what they are selling. For those who have unknowingly purchased a fraudulent axe head, please document the sale, report it to the seller (or the platform like eBay) immediately, and know that you do have rights. Contact your local law enforcement and file a report, as well as your state attorney and the attorney for the state of the seller if the purchase was from another state. Please remember that interstate crimes often immediately denote federal crimes and are more likely to be prosecuted.
For those purchasing from eBay sellers in the state of Arizona, the following link will allow you to add to the other complaints already filed against certain eBay sellers there:
Complaints can also be started or added to cases through the FBI’s internet crime division at:
As always, I hope this information helps! Feel free to reach out with any questions!
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