CPR Axes

Canada
1940s – 1960s*

Axes stamped CPR were used by the Canadian Pacific Railway to clear branches, trees, and other line work. 

Axes were always a tool used on the railway. Large and mid-size felling axes were used to remove trees growing too close to the rail, clearing fallen trees and branches off the track, and clearing land for new routes.

Broad axes and hatchets could also be used for shaping timber for line work, railway ties, and working on wooden buildings, structures, and signs/signals on the route.

CPR Axes & Markings

There isn’t a lot of information available currently on CPR axes, but I have pieced together what I could.

Based on the observed axes, it appears the Canadian Pacific Railway did not have a single ongoing source of axes and tools, but ordered from many makers as needed. Axes appear to have hand-stamped CPR lettering, which the company or the maker could have added.

The axe shown in this article was made at the James Smart plant in Brockville, Ontario. But other CPR axes and tools have been found made by Welland Vale, and without any manufacturer marks (but still hand-stamped CPR).

The date range of 1940 to the 1960s is based on similar trends of other companies, and the axes CPR stamps have been found on.

The railway industry was struggling in the 1930s due to the great depression. But after the Second World War, it was booming with both shipping and travel at an all-time high.

This hand-done approach makes sense for a smaller railway and is different from their competitor the Canadian National Railway, which had official factory-stamped axes (which are more common to find today).

The CPR stamps aren’t extremely rare, but I would call them uncommon. They don’t pop up as often as many of the other marks from the time period.

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Email: museum@axeandtool.com

Sources

1. Wikipedia – CPR
2. eBay – CPR pick axe