Rob,
Good find!
The Hercules name prompted me to do some searching.
I found the attached logo, and the trademark description for the US parent company here:
https://bizstanding.com/p/hercules+w...orld-106131991
My read on Rob’s enlarged version of the Factory Photos image is that the bottom banner differs from the US version. I believe it reads “Canadian Turner Day Handle Co.”
A search for “Canadian Turner Day Handle Co” returned few results but this website identifies the Stratford, ON company as being associated with Welland Vale Mfg Co.:
http://yesteryearstools.com/Yesterye...ale%20Co..html
My presumption is that Welland Vale was contracted to supply two types of pick axes: The British military type for Universal Carrier and Valentine Tank contracts, and the “Standard Commercial” type for other vehicles including CMPs. We also know that Welland Vale produced the “Bulldog” shovels that were supplied with most Canadian vehicles.
I think it is likely that a correct handle for a CMP would have this Hercules logo, but the head (helve) would likely be produced and marked by Welland Vale.
Does anyone have a “Standard Commercial” type head marked WV with a wartime date?
Colin
