I edited your photo to compare it to a Model A axle I have. I’ve always thought my axle was done by Mor-Drop based on what I’ve seen in magazines over the years and the drop on your’s seems to have a similar appearance. As @alchemy mentioned if it’s 2” at the perches it’s ‘33-‘36. The flanges of the beam, as well as the front of the perch area, look to be ground to improve the appearance. And as @gimpyshotrods said the marks are foundry identifiers although some think the AA, or EE signify the steel alloy.
It does resemble the work done by Mary Costello from Mor-Drop. Unfortunately, many others do as well. Marty even admitted to me that there were more axles out there that people thought were his, than he ever did.
Both of the Model A axles on my shelf bear the same foundry marks as the one @Fordors showed, and that's the mark that I remember them having. For this reason, I suspect it is post-Model A. What is the measured thickness (height) at the perch bosses?
My concern would be did they do the chrome right? If I remember correctly you need to bake the part after the chrome or it will be brittle and fail. Hope someone comes in here that knows for sure. Charlie Stephens
The presence of Vanadium in these axles makes Hydrogen embrittlement far less likely than with other alloys.
Hydrogen embrittlement is only a problem in steels alloys over 140,000psi, Rockwell hardness 30 on the C scale. Put in perspective, that is in the range of grade 8 bolts. Axles and spindles are quite a bit below this range (grade 5 bolts) so no problem electroplating or even (quality!) welding on these steels.
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