A Reference Network

Hardware History

Citation-first guides to antique American tools.

A small collection of reference sites about the makers of everyday American hardware. Each one is built the same way: every fact tied to a period catalog, patent, or trademark record — and graded by how well it's proven.

The sites

The American Axeaxhistory.com
The makers of American axes — patterns, weights, and prices over time, and how to date a head by its stamp. Collins, Plumb, True Temper, Mann, Sager and more.
 The American Pocket Knifeslipjointhistory.com
Pre-war American pocket knives — tang stamps, pattern numbers, and the cutlers behind them. Case, Remington, Winchester, Schrade, Queen and the great house brands.
 Cast Iron Cookwarecastironhistory.com
America's cast-iron cookware makers — reading the marks, dating the iron, and telling maker from seller. Griswold, Wagner, Lodge, Favorite, BSR and more.

The standard

Every page across these sites follows one rule: a primary source — a document from the period itself — proves a fact; secondary works are only leads until a primary confirms them. Each claim carries its source and a confidence flag (✓ read directly · ~ corroborated · ⚑ identified but not yet transcribed), so you always know what proves what. Pre-1930 catalogs, patents, and trade journals are public domain, which is why they can be quoted and reproduced in full.

These are references, not appraisals. Historical prices are what a tool cost in its own day — not current values — and nothing here is professional advice about the authenticity, age, or worth of any piece. Brand names identify the objects they name; the sites are independent and not affiliated with any current rights-holder.

Who's behind it

All three sites are researched and written by Ethan Trex, a collector and restorer of antique American axes, pocket knives, and cast-iron cookware. The curiosity is the same across all of them: the tool in your hand is more interesting once you know who made it, and when. Read more about the project on each site — axes, knives, cast iron.