Agent_H has a good sense about these things,it does appear to be from somewhere East of Germany,which of course puts it square into Soviet block part of the world.
It's one of the countries that uses Latin script vs Cyrillic,so Poland or Czechoslovakia or someone like that.
(Pattern-wise Poland Is a very good guess).
It isnt' an out and out soviet turd-product,it has a poll(most really trashy russian ones are nearly poll-less,wrapped strap more or less);also,the eye in shape and execution is of a good quality,this axe was forged with at least Some care and intent.*
Probably a carpenter's axe,for shipbuilding or the like,and was a fine tool in it's day.
The chip out of the blade looks bad:Take a close look at that break-is the surface all very grainy?Can you see the individual grains/crystals on that surface?
If so,that means that in the manufacturing process the Grain Size issue was neglected,and the steel,when at a proper hardness for the job it's meant for is too brittle,lacking sufficient Toughness(resistance to deformation).
Ideally,were you planning to restore this axe to Original working order,the bit would have to be re-forged,drawn out,and grain structure refined;then of course to be heat-treated anew.
Not an impossible chore,but short of that,if simply ground out,this axe will change to a different type of tool....(not necessarily bad,and if forging services not available,a second-best option).
Cool axe,in any case.
* having written And posted that,now more of the photos filtering through my dreadfully slow connection...I may take that back about the poll,it Does appear to be wrapped afterall,bringing it closer to crap tools influenced by bottomless russian dysfunction...
And inattention to grain-size is very typical of those sad times...
)
