Stamp reads J. HIGGINS. Clear delineation of the laid on hardened edge. Decades of life left on it. Weighs over 7 lb and has an 11 5/8" cutting edge. Excellent.
John Joseph Higgins was listed as a blacksmith in Rougemont Quebec in 1840 and may have operated the Rixford axe factory from about 1850-55. He had an axe and edge tool factory in Montreal by 1856.
There is an excellent piece about Rixford Mfg. Co. by yesteryearstools.com . Fittingly, this beautiful axe head was also found in Quebec.
**All edge tools may need to be sharpened and/or honed before use**