German WWII Forestry Hatchet & Property Stamp Tool. Orignal Leather Carrier
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $450.00

Original era manufacture. First one of these I have ever seen, and a first glance having no idea of what it might be. I contacted a good friend of ours in Germany and his thoughts were that it might be a property marking tool used by a German Forester in identifying lumber for government use. Seems reasonable to me, what are your thoughts? Heavy steel hatchet head which measures 6.5 inches in length with a polished steel blade. Hatchet blade on one end and on the opposite end is a .45 mm circular stamp displaying an eagle & swastika with the letters HW in a mirror image. simple wooden handle which is likely a replacement as it can be pulled from the head easily. Brown leather blade case with an adjustable shoulder strap. Typical German construction, sound and usable.***Just heard from our long-time friend Bob up in the Pacific Northwest, he concurs with our German friend, adding that the axe head was for clearing the bark away to "proof stamp" the trees. He also stated that the Royal Navy back in the day used to mark trees on the coast for spars and masts. We learn something new everyday. Since Terri and I are desert dwellers we don't know much about trees. Thanks Bob