CAYUGA BARKER ROSE & KIMBALL INC ELMIRA, NY

Step back into American industrial and forestry history with this exceptional Vintage "Cayuga" Stamped Double Bit Axe, customized for Barker, Rose & Kimball, Inc. of Elmira, New York. Featuring crisp, clear stamped markings across the cheek and mounted on its original 32" hickory handle, this piece represents peak 20th-century American hardware store heritage and timber tool craftsmanship.

Historical Background

• Barker, Rose & Kimball, Inc. (Elmira, NY): Based in Upstate New York, this firm evolved from the historic Barker, Rose & Clinton Co. when Kimball joined the partnership in the late 1920s. Operating through the mid-20th century, Barker, Rose & Kimball, Inc. was a dominant wholesale hardware supplier serving woodsmen, farmers, and builders across the region.

• The "Cayuga" Brand: Named after the Native American Cayuga Nation and Cayuga Lake of Central New York's Finger Lakes region, "Cayuga" was a high-grade trade line used for premier hand tools, ensuring strong regional identity and rugged appeal.

• Contracted American Forge Quality: Major regional hardware companies routinely contracted premier American axe manufacturers (such as Kelly Axe & Tool Co., Mann Edge Tool Co., or Plumb) to forge high-carbon steel line axes with custom store brandings.

• Double Bit Design & Original Handle: Highly favored by professional woodsmen, double bit axes provided dual utility—one finer bit for clean chopping and felling, and a second thicker bit for knotty wood or root work. Retaining an original 32" hickory handle in excellent condition adds significant historical and collector value.

Dimensions & Specifications

• Brand / Marking: Stamped "CAYUGA / BARKER, ROSE & KIMBALL, INC. / ELMIRA, N.Y." on the cheek.

• Head Pattern: Classic Full-Size Double Bit Pattern.

• Estimated Head Weight: Approx. 3.5 to 4.0 lbs

• Overall Head Length (Bit to Bit): Approx. 9.5" to 10.5"

• Cutting Edge (Bit Length): Approx. 4.25" to 4.75"

• Overall Length (With Handle): 32 inches

• Handle Material: Original vintage American Hickory.

• Head Material: Forged high-carbon American tool steel.

Condition & Listing Notes

• Head & Marking: Stamped text is clean, crisp, and fully legible with a beautiful natural aged patina.

• Bit Condition: Excellent profile with clean edges and minimal surface wear.

• Handle: Original 32" hickory handle is in sturdy, tightly-hafted condition with a smooth, rich vintage patina.

• Overall State: Outstanding collector-grade piece, ideal for high-end vintage tool displays, timber history preservation, or custom collection setups.