Used for cutting timber supports (pit props) and cross members (cross timbering) in mines and pits

http://www.gno-sis.co.uk/index.cgi/ac-Axe

"The colliers looked after their other tools themselves and I can remember turning the grindle stone while my father sharpened his pit axe." Source: http://shropshiremines.org.uk/misc/shropmine/ifton.htm

"Reverse design: miner, lying injured in narrow mine gallery, his pit axe beside him. Attending the injured figure a male rescuer, half-kneeling, his right arm extended to support a pit prop and carrying a Davy safety lamp in his left hand. Reverse text: "FOR COURAGE". Suspender: ring, oval (swivel). Ribbon pattern: dark blue & yellow - dark blue having at either edge a narrow yellow stripe (2.5 mm wide)."

Decription of the Edward Medal (Mines) - http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30008582?nomob...

From a treatise on mining tools:
https://archive.org/stream/manualminingtoo01morggoog/manualm...

"A 6 lb. or 7 lb. head is, perhaps, usually the
most convenient size for a timbering axe. It is in
very general use for ordinary timbering, and for
rather heavy work. Axe-heads of 81bs. weight and
upwards are in common use at South Wales collieries,
the pattern being like the forest axe, with the
length of the head disproportionately increased
so as to measure 12 inches and more when new.

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Note added at 2 hrs (2014-07-20 14:05:11 GMT)
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The difference (still disputed) between axes and hatchets).

Same source:

"The hatchet and axe are almost identical in
character. Some persons consider the axe is the
heavier tool, with heads weighing above 31bs.,
and suited for use with both hands, while the
hatchet is intended to be used by one hand only,
and has a head weighing under 31bs.

Some manufacturers consider that the differ-
ence between hatchets and axes is entirely in the
grinding of the edge. When the edge is bevelled
off distinctly, as at a, Fig. 106, it is a hatchet;
but when the edge is rounded off gradually, as
at h, in Fig. 107, like the bow of a ship, it is an
axe. Axes are considered best for splitting and
cross grain hewing; but for chopping tcith the
grain, hatchets are best, because the bevel turns
off the chips, and keeps them out of the way of
the head. The part p, h, Fig. 106, is the head
in every hatchet or axe. The back, p, is called
the " poll," and, when well made, it is strong and
faced with steel, to form a surface for striking
moderate blows. The " eye " lies between the
cheeks c, c. The " blade " of an axe is the part
between the eye and cutting edge. It is gene-
rally broad and thin, composed of a doubled piece
of flattened wrought- iron welded together, with a
thin piece of steel between, to form the edge.
Hatchet and axe-heads used in mining may be
jsaid to range from 21bs. to 81bs. in weight. "


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Note added at 3 hrs (2014-07-20 14:49:31 GMT)
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A typical use of a hatchet, rather than an axe, below ground would be for cutting sprags (spraggs), these were pieces of hardwood about three feet long that were jammed between the spokes of the wheels of pit tubs to prevent them rolling away on inclined rails.

This was a job usually performed by young lads, logically enough, called spraggers. They often began their work in mines with this job (or working ventilation doors) and progressed to become hutchers and hurriers (tub pushers), ponymen (working with pit ponies) and later took on the more "adult" tasks in mines, as hewers, drillers, timbermen, shot firers and the like, or above ground jobs like banksman, picker, washer etc..

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Note added at 3 hrs (2014-07-20 15:10:12 GMT)
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Mining trivia (banging my own drum):

http://www.aditnow.co.uk/supersize/Personal-Album-8946-Image...

An extract from my most recent mining research - mapping the mines, pits, shafts and levels of the Yorkshire coalfield from 1700 until the 20th century. Recently also displayed (Huddersfield area) at a lecture at the National Coal Mining Museum for England.

If you live in Yorkshire, let me know, you house may be built on a mineshaft.

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Note added at 21 hrs (2014-07-21 09:23:25 GMT)
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A fascinating piece of work: http://tinyurl.com/pymnvqa

Aus "Diplomarbeit „Gezähe im Mittelalter und in der frühen Neuzeit“ verfasst von Hans Michael Reibnagel"

"Hauptgezäh: dasjenige Gezäh, welches in einer bestimmten Art von bergmännischen Arbeiten eigenthümlich ist und allein oder doch vorzugsweise gerade bei dieser Art von Arbeiten zur Anwendung kommt, im Gegensatz zu Hülfsgezäh: Gezäh welches nicht in der in Rede stehenden Art von Arbeiten eigenthümlich angehört, sondern von einem anderen entlehnt ist: Kaukamm, das Hauptgezäh zur Ausführung der Zimmermannsarbeiten in der Grube."

Gätzschmann, Moritz Ferdinand, Sammlung bergmännischer Ausdrücke. Freiberg 1859, 46.

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Note added at 1 day3 hrs (2014-07-21 15:03:47 GMT)
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Kaukamm: einseitig geschliffenes Grubenbeil, zum Hacken der Schar beim polnischen Türstock.

Türstock: Ausbaukonstruktion, bestehend aus einer Kappe mit zwei unterstützenden Stempeln.

Beim polnischen Türstock wird der Stempel am oberen Ende mit einer Vertiefung (Ausscharung) versehen, die Kappe wird nicht bearbeitet und in die Schar gelegt. Dadurch kann der polnische Türstock nur Firstdruck und keine seitlich einwirkenden Kräfte aufnehmen. Um den Stempeln eine bessere Standfestigkeit gegen seitliche Druckeinwirkungen zu geben, wird dicht unter der Kappe ein Holzpfahl, eine sogenannte Kopfspreize, eingeschlagen. Durch die Kopfspreize kann der polnische Türstock in geringem Umfang auch Seitenkräfte aufnehmen. Vorteil des polnischen Türstocks ist die einfache Bauweise, die auch von ungeübten Zimmerhauern hergestellt werden kann. Haupteinsatzgebiet des polnischen Türstocks war der Steinkohlebergbau.

More on timbering/Türstöcke
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Türstock_(Bergbau)#Polnischer_T...