Rare Antique W.L. Marble No. 2 Safety Pocket Axe Hound & Hare Gutta Percha For Sale

This is an incredibly rare piece of early American outdoor history: an original W.L. Marble No. 2 Safety Pocket Axe, manufactured in Gladstone, Michigan. This exceptionally early variant dates between roughly 1898 and 1905, bearing the sought-after maker stamp: "MF'D BY W.L. MARBLE / GLADSTONE, MICH." before the company formally incorporated.

Handle Features:

This model features the iconic, highly collectible "Hound and Hare" relief design molded into genuine Gutta-percha handle scales. The casting remains incredibly crisp, maintaining sharp details in the hound’s muscle lines and the rabbit’s form. In accordance with its 120+ year age, there are stable, tight hairline shrinkage cracks running near the top and bottom brass screws (clearly documented in the photos). Honest vintage structural bulging present on the handle scales, typical of early century Gutta-percha/casting aging, with associated hairline cracks. Handle is stable. Note to buyer: Do not attempt to torque or tighten the vintage screws to avoid damaging the brittle vintage rubber.

Mechanical Condition:

Mechanically excellent. The spring-loaded folding guard retains fantastic tension and a powerful, crisp snap when closing over the blade edge. The original protective soft lead lining inside the guard channel is perfectly intact, showing light historic resting indents but no deep damage.

Metal Condition:

The axe head retains its original, robust wedge factory profile and has never been over-sharpened or aggressively ground down. It sports an honest, deep, untouched historic patina with light surface oxidation and minor localized pinprick pitting consistent with authentic field wear. The poll/hammer face is in good condition, with a few small dings, but unmarred of heavy pounding.

Measures exactly 10 inches overall length. Please review all photos closely as they represent the definitive physical condition of this exceptional artifact.

Shipping: Ships quickly and and packaged with extreme care to preserve the handle scales.