Collins Axes has long-term popularity among woodcutters and loggers. This brand was once the master of craftsmanship, but it has become a second-hand brand over the last few decades.
But still, their previous approach provides high-quality service with low-cost equipment.
Getting a vintage Collins ax is always best. But it is quite tricky to date the real history of a particular Collins axe. But to do this, gathering knowledge about how to date a Collins axe is important.
Know the History Before Dating a Collin Axe

To look at the Collins ax history, the first thing that should be marked is Samuel Collins formed Collins & Co. in 1823. Collins’ shop began its business with eight people. Within a decade, their business had grown into a large factory. Moreover, their brand had established in a reputed position to produce high-quality, pre-sharpened, polished axes.
Until the 1930s, the brand was going strong, but after 1955, the company changed hands several times. Then Truper Herramientas, a Mexican firm that produces axes under the Collins trademark, owns the company. And Collins company closed its doors in 1966, after 140 years of existence.
Then the company’s South American operations were sold to Stanley Tool, and Mann Edge Tool Co. purchased the domestic US operations, including the Collins name.
How to Date a Collins Ax Properly?
The Collins Company’s “Legitimus” brand was very famous and used axes and other cutting instruments. The legitimus mark is an indication of real Collins. By digging into Collins’s Legitimus Ax history, anyone can find that it was last from 1875-to 1966.
Not only legitimus, but every ax is also difficult to identify and date. Such as, if someone tries to date a craftsman axe, they should also pass some stages.
The dating ax is critical sometimes because the histories of many of the historic manufacturers have vanished. Companies may throw out print material. But in this case, Collins is the most straightforward to date and the only one actively attempting to preserve their past.
Before date a Collins axe, two things need to consider. First, it is also applicable for Collins legitimus axe date.
Logo: On Axe Blade

To date, a Collins ax, the logo of Collins, is an important indication. Because Collins changed its logo after 1966, Mann manufactured it. Before 1966, the legitimus brand usually used a square logo. So, if your ax contains a square logo, it is probably a vintage ax. Moreover, a logo helps a Collins user determine whether his ax is pre-Mann or post-Mann.
Every Collins brand contained a different shape of the logo. That means Sam. W. Collins, E. K. Root, R. King, B.X Swift, and Bv Wise all have different logo identification. This logo is mainly sealed in an ax blade or head. So how to date an axe head may also be your concern.
And then between 1966 – 2003, Collins changed their logo into a rectangle shape because it was not real Collins. It was Mann. So, to find out the real Collins, a buyer should know about the proper brand logo and catalog.
Guess Can Help Sometimes
Finding logo identification can be a good option, but sometimes it is quite impossible to get accurate information. In this case, other options can be beneficial. Such as guessing can help sometimes.
Perhaps someone discovered a vintage Collins ax, and the ax can be quite rusty to find the origin of seeing the logo. So, the user can guess the ax origin after analyzing the catalog. In addition, because the catalog contains a picture of the ax, the user can compare the looks.
Final Verdict
To conclude, in the case of how to date a Collins ax. Then the ax is manufactured before 1966 or after 1966 is very important to explore. Such as Collin’s red seal hatchet is a vintage ax and known by almost every lumber, but to know the real origin dig the catalog is important.
Learn more:
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- 5 Easy Steps: How To Make An Axe Sheath With Duct Tape
- How Heavy Is An Axe – Whatever You Need To Know

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Just found a axe at the flea market. Marked IROQUOIS I can not find any information on it. It has age but good condition.. Thank You
Russell Philippi
In general, IROQUOIS axes are made of 410 stainless steel, which stays intact for longer. Usually, these axes were first seen around 400 years ago in the European continent. Hope you get a general idea of it.
Some of the common features of IROQUOIS axes are:
Head Width: 5 to 6 inches
Total Axe Weight: 20 ounces
Handle length: 17 to 21 inches
Thickness: 0.25 – 0.35 inches
Hope that helps you
George
Recently found a 1 1/4 lb hatchet,seemed vintage with Collins roundish foil sticker on one side and a stamped M over the weight stamp on the other. Assuming it’s a Mann?
Later 60’s era. Was unsharpened,and in great shape,considering it’s apparent age.
Any info would be appreciated.
Great to know about your discovery. As you have found a stamped M sticker, it’s probably from Mann. In addition, the unsharpened hatchet would be great to use when sharpening your our. Let me know if you are willing to renovate the 60s hatchet.
Have found a Collins and Hartford axe head on cattle station QLD Australia.
Legitamus and Cast Steel stamped on it.
Anyone know much about them.