L&F Axes of the Ontario Department of Lands & Forests
Government Stamp
1920 – 1972
Canadian Axes and Pulaskis stamped with an “L&F” marking were issued to and used by the Ontario Department of Lands & Forests (a predecessor to the Ministry of Natural Resources).
The Ontario Department of Lands & Forests historically managed Crown lands, timber, minerals, fish, and wildlife, and expanded to focus on sustainable resource use, public safety (fires, floods), recreation, economic development, forest management, and regulating activities on public lands.
The name for this government department was used between 1920 and 1972, so the axes could have a wide date range, but the ones that I have seen also include a brand mark that narrows it down significantly (more below).
True Temper L&F Axes
The L&F axes I have seen so far were all made by True Temper Canada in St. Catharines between 1950 and 1965. They have had either a True Temper Lion or True Temper Welland Vale brand mark.
The L&F stamp was likely applied as a secondary stamp after the axes were made, as part of official government procurement. And the stamp can be found on either side of the axe.
True Temper Canada (formerly Welland Vale Mfg Co.) was the province’s largest axe manufacturer until 1965, when it shut down, so it would make sense for the government to buy from them.
However, that doesn’t mean they all were made by Welland Vale. Procurement may have changed over the years, and often, tools would be bought in smaller batches in a more ad hoc way. I imagine these L&F axes were from large procurement buys.
Special thanks to AmsterdamIron for putting me on to this marking.
If you find a different example, please send in a picture.
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