Now all but forgotten other than by chopping contest participants, Australian Peter McLaren was a ‘rock star’ of axemanship and pioneer of chopping contests in this country. In the 1930s he was a brand representative and promoter for Plumb brand axes. (For modern day equivalent, think Michael Jordan for Nike shoes.)

One such promotions was a featured section at the 1937 Boy Scout National Jamboree. (I’ll have to look through my archives for the jambo map but as I recall it showed this area.) One memorabilia item that came from this was a staff axe engraved for the Jamboree with McLaren’s signature.

I do not know how many of these have survived. This is the only one I’ve ever had come through my hands (and quickly acquired it when I had a chance to.) I’ve not seen another on the market.

We do though get through occaisionaly both a pamphlet that he authored and a “club” patch.

For more on McLaren, check out this blog post from Brant and Cochran Axes from Maine on him.