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While fireman used axes for the business end of their organization, many also had dress versions which were used for parade and presentation purposes. These dress axes can run the gamut from simple polished nickel heads with black or brown wood handles, to most elaborate etched, gold embellished beauties, some equipped with fluted ebony or even genuine ivory handles, presentation plates and beautiful lower escutcheon decorations. Senior examples were usually finish in gold.
#29285C FIREMAN’S DRESS AXE
This dress ehas the same basic design to the head as the one shown in the Johnson Wittman Imperial Book on page 237, upper. The head is a nickel-plated type and it features fire scenes throughout. The center of the head depicts a helmet with crossed axes. This head is all nickel-plated but it does not look to have ever been cleaned having a dull patination across it. The wood grip area below the head has been covered with escutcheon plates which also have carrying rings mounted on each. In the center of the wood grip there is a presentation plaque but it is void of any engraving. At the lower portion there is a nickel-plated chape with ball at the bottom. The handle is painted and shows quite a bit of usage but there are no scrapes or problems. A good fire ax here which would clean up rather nicely. The amount of engraving to the head is quite impressive.
FDAXE #28785C PRESENTED SAXON IVORY GRIPPED FIRE AXE
This This Fire Ax has much patination throughout its surfaces but it is easy to see that the parts below will clean up in a fairly good state. This fire axe must have been absolutely magnificent when it was originally presented as it is easily the most elaborate piece I have seen and also has the most impressive dedication covering both handle plaques. First of all the ax head itself is in the traditional shape of a large size blade on one end and a curved downward point on the other. There are cut outs in both the blade side as well as the point side in the upper and lower borders. The ax head is heavily etched having a floral motif on both sides of the head and in the center there is a motif consisting of an old fashioned fire helmet positioned over a pair of axes. This depiction is the same on both sides. The etches have good backgrounds and the nickel still seems to be mostly there. Unfortunately there is some rust that has formed on both sides, most of it concentrated in the center area. A good cleaning however would make for a fine result. The nickel-plated head is retained by a plate at the top which is secured with a gilded brass screw. There are escutcheon plates on the sides of the handle just below the head. These plates are also dramatically etched having a similar floral motif with nice backgrounds. It is very unusual to see etched escutcheon plates as apparently there was no limit to the spending on this piece. At the left escutcheon plate there is a smooth gilded eyelet with matching hanging ring. Attached to this ring there is a portion of the old suspension hanger. On the opposite side the hanging ring and eyelet are missing from the escutcheon plate. The handle below is of hardwood painted black and is flared in the center in the traditional fire ax shape. At the lower portion there are two very beautiful gilded brass mounts. These mounts have a raised serrated area which gives the appearance of removal if desired, and in the center are between the two raise parts the surfaces have been deeply raised checkered. At the bottom mount there is a further doorknob shaped fitting which acts as a chape. In between there is a lovely piece of heavily toned ivory which is fluted throughout. This ivory is a golden color and has much graining in its appearance. The ivory is in perfect condition. The plaques on both sides of the handle are covered with outstanding professional engraving. Although the engraving is difficult to read I will do my best to tell you exactly what it says. The obverse plaque is engraved, “D.Frein. Feuerwehr Leubnitz / zur 50 Jahrfeicr, gewidmet, / 6. / 7. 1878 26. / 8. 1928.” On the opposite plaque it is engraved, “M.G.V. Arion, Hausbesitzerverein, / Turnoverein Germania, Eisenbahnerverein, / Konzertinakluk, Landmirtschaft. Verein, / Sächs Militärverein / Radfahrerverein Edelweims.” I believe that all of this means that this elegant fire ax was presented to the volunteer fire department of the small city of Leubnitz for their 50th anniversary which stretched from 1878 to 1928. The rest of all of these names seem to be possibly the local Saxon hamlets that took up a collection to pay for this beautiful ax. As stated above, the next person that acquires this axe, assuming he has careful and good cleaning skills could make a wonderful artifact from this antique. I know just putting some ammonia on the gold fittings alone would make a tremendous difference but I really don’t want to touch this ax as it would not be fair to the next purchaser who should have all of the fun and confidence doing the right job on this axe will bring. A terrific artifact here!
FDAXE #28527 LEATHER FIRE AXE COVER / HANGER
This brown leather hanger also acts as a cover for what appears to be a large size fire ax. It is built for the type of ax which has a point in the back which slopes downward. The design is quite clever having a boss with button hole to open the assembly and the leather accoutrement slips over the handle of the ax. Once in place the accoutrement enables the ax to be carried through a leather belt. This accoutrement is in fine condition and if you have the right size ax to fit it it would be quite a find.
FDAXE #26063 FIREMANS DRESS AXE
This fireman’s
dress axe is a nickel plated version. It has a rather thin style
head having a sharp portion on the left side and a curved point
on the right side. The head has a rather streamlined look to it.
The handle portion is of hard wood with good black paint. Attached
to the handle below the head are two escutcheon plates. These
plates protect the upper edges and both are equipped with carrying
rings. The nickel finish matches that of the head itself. The
lower handle has a protective chape hardware attached. This hardware
has a round knob device at the end and the ring which it is attached
to has decorative lined engravings. There is a plaque attached
to each side of the handle but the plaque has no presentation.
The axe head is held to the handle with a stepped style hardware
which is retained by a wood screw. This dress axe is in choice
condition and would look great with some other fire edged weapons.
FDAXE #27281C FIREMANS DRESS AXE
This nickel
plated fireman’s dress axe is slightly unusual from others
I have seen. The axe head itself has a nice sharpened end on the
left and before it tapers to a point at the rear, there is a step-up
area in the shape. This gives the head an unusual look. There
is a hardwood handle which is painted black, and the paint is
still in fairly good condition. The escutcheon plates at the edges
are retained by screws. It is interesting to note that there are
no handing rings on the escutcheon plates but, below the right
plate, there is a ring and eyelet assembly which is attached to
the handle itself. Grabbing this ring, the balance of the axe
is perfect for a single hanging strap. The lower portion of the
handle has a nickel chape area but at the bottom of it, instead
of the usual round ball device there is a flame shaped fitting
which is highly unusual. It is also possible to read the name
of the original owner of this example, as it is lightly scratched
into the surface of the upper axe handle “Emil Benten”.
This is a great addition for someone collecting fire axes, as,
frankly, I have never seen any of the unusual features on this
piece. Overall, there is minor aging but this axe would clean
up nicely.