Marbles Hatchet?

[Bushbow]

I just picked up an old Marbles hatchet that is pretty old.

It says, MARBLES
Gladstone Mich, USA
NO. 2

It is an integral handle and head with white/pearl handle slabs held on with two copper rivets and there is a machined groove about a 1/4" wide and 1/2" deep on the inside of the handle that looks to be fitted with dark hard wood. Possilbly Walnut or even cocobolo? It also has two notches on either side of the handle where it meats the head of the axe.

I will try to provide photos as soon as I can. My question is?

when was it made?

Is it rare?

Is there any value other than nostalgia?

Who knows Marbles history?

It is in pretty good shape but has been used throughout the years so it is far from pristine and does not have a sheath.

Bob Urban
East Lansing, MI

[Bushbow]

Some more info:
I will work on the photos but here is the exact hatchet on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Marbles-2-Axe-Gl...QQcmdZViewItem

Mine has white handle slabs that are held on with copper rivets NOT screws leading mr to believe this is a retro repair. All the hatchets I have found photos of have screws. Also, mine does not have the blade guard and has been retro fitted with a nice piece of hard wood in the slot/groove again deminishing the collectable value. By the way my handles do not ssay anything on them and the others I have seen all sem to say Marbles. Another indication that these handles were added at a later date.

Any info would be a help.

Bob Urban

[NJStricker]

This site has a Marble's Safety Ax #3 here: http://nicnac.net/marblesknives/en-us/dept_2.html

According to this site, made before 1911.

[Josh O Mason]

I saw a marbles safety hatchet EXACTLY like that one at a flea market. I was hoping to hell the guy didnt know what he had, and would take like 20 bucks for it... I asked him what he had to have for it, and he said $300.

I'm sure the thing is worth a considerable amount more. The old wooden handles safety axes go for 400 and 500 bucks all the time. This one is a real early model like the guy above said. made in the early 1900's.