KA Heritage German Military Hatchet - J. Wiebelhaus &Co.

Purchased along with a handful of Hedvalls and shipped out from Southern Sweden, this "Bund" marked military hatchet just caught Dave's eye. The picker it was acquired from placed it as a WWII-manufactured piece that was brought to Sweden sometime afterward. History tells us that the Wiebelaus factory was completely destroyed by allied bombing in 1945, so if this is of that era it would predate that obviously. 

We won't know the exact history of this piece as much of the markings are partially lost, but the "BUND" is clearly legible... meaning "Federation" in German, and often associated with a "German Group" ie: sympathizers and or groups supportive of the WWII German government and/or military, etc...

Think trench hatchet or general purpose hammer/hawk or shingling hatchet made for use by supportive German groups and you've got it. 

Perhaps a little dark history, or maybe just a post-war surplus piece. Either way, still totally useful and now ready for work again. Hung on a flared profile straight hammer-style shaft of white ash, 17" in length. With the secure leather snap sheath, this would make a great pack hatchet or bushcrafting piece.