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Union Civil War Camp Axe Carried by Wisconsin Soldier. Camp hatchets, like other utilitarian objects, rarely survive as they were continued to be used after the war. This is only the 2nd complete contract marked camp hatchet I have seen. Emerson & Silver of Trenton, NJ delivered 2,000 camp hatchets to the U.S. Army in 1863. They also delivered 10,000 hatchet handles showing attrition rate of the wood. This wonderful relic has seen plenty of use but has a wonderful hand worn patina. The 4 1/4" head w/ 2 1/2" cutting edge, 14" overall is stamped w/ lg. "US" & their makers mark, though portions are obliterated from use of hammer end of hatchet. What makes this hatchet wonderful is that Private Payson Dunn personalized the handle w/ carved "P. D. Co. F 37. W. V. 1865". Payson Dunn is the only set of initials that match in this unit. Payson Dunn enlisted w/ the newly formed 37th Wisc. Inf. March 28, 1864 and participated in attack at “the Crater” July 30 sustaining over 150 casualties. The regiment saw further action around Petersburg till the war’s end. It would be difficult to find another impeccably identified Civil War camp hatchet. CONDITION: good overall. "As found" w/ iron patina, old sharpening to head, hand worn patina to haft w/ several age cracks

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