I've had this hatchet since I was a teenager.  I'm under the impression that tool was brought home from Europe after the war ended by my father.   The handle was broken when I got it and I re-handled it back in the '80s with a store bought handle.   I've used it a bunch over the years and it's been hunting, fishing, camping, along with other chores.  Any guru's out there that can tell me more about it?  The text stamped into the head says:

 

U.S.

something something Fork

something something CO 1946

 

 

 

.40

Well used, no doubt it could spin a few good stories

 

A little info about American Fork & Hoe Co.

http://www.yesteryearstools.com/Yesteryears Tools/American Fork & Hoe Co..html

 

And a similar hatchet on the bay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275973516361?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110018%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.COMPLISTINGS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D252669%26meid%3D8f357788392643bf83be56d57d896ecc%26pid%3D101196%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D394739725133%26itm%3D275973516361%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DCompVIDesktopATF2V2WithPbooster&_trksid=p2047675.c101196.m2219&amdata=cksum%3A2759735163618f357788392643bf83be56d57d896ecc|enc%3AAQAIAAAA8MJjzlVS3JHbM8WubKstsfVEhglq3tWDubDlc8A1V9d%2BYOMYuoz6SAWbsIhaTzK3ZHMT9NlzJKFupZ3LLDXWZYNQ8IYjCvpzj4McgL1%2Bh9oa8Hdd8XWCnivosqIrf7w%2Bqp6MbA1Kz1PXxi4wrxaDr0gIKfONsBqbiEWq8%2Fp1N4kanKqgMGuKzoWZTuHv3%2FLsJERbc%2BLYeY9kno%2FPhAHGjEV%2F2IYEo1n2Zcj2mi%2BaH%2FvmyWJXM7Xy04Pw9she%2FuoCkYhxtG7oaZyLoSA3sVyzqZuQ6AVz6ffu3ULDBcBy05vIrqhvwGW0s5fEQ1OW%2FWn6xg%3D%3D|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A2047675

 

Thanks Cal.  That article tells quite the story.  From the article, I can surmise that this axe was made in Charlestown, West Virginia in the same factory that made the Kelly brand. 

 

.40

Great story Forty.