Help ID hatchet or tomahawk.

[WalnutRed]

I cannot find a marking on this and don't think the handle is original. I find the round eye a little odd and it may have been nickel plated at some time. I believe it's steel rather than iron due to the slight mushrooming of the pole end. I've been told everything from a Cherokee style hawk to an old ceremonial hatchet from the Red Mans Lodge.

 

[Hickory n steel]

What you have is either a Tomahawk by the Sheldon Wells company out of PA, or a very close copy that was imported from Italy called the " Balanced throwing tomahawk ".
both were finished brightly with just an etch and no actual stamping.
It seems like the main way to distinguish them is by the sheath which you don't have.
The original Sheldons were made in the 40's-50's and the " balanced throwing tomahawk " sometime after that I'd assume , possibly 60's / 70's.

 

[crbnSteeladdict]

I cannot find a marking on this and don't think the handle is original. I find the round eye a little odd and it may have been nickel plated at some time. I believe it's steel rather than iron due to the slight mushrooming of the pole end. I've been told everythingView attachment 2600565View attachment 2600567 from a Cherokee style hawk to an old ceremonial hatchet from the Red Mans Lodge.

Balanced Throwing Tomahawk
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-balanced-throwing-tomahawk-1856664746

 

[Hickory n steel]

Balanced Throwing Tomahawk

Yes I looked a little bit and that's definitely it.
The original Sheldon used 2 small step wedges while the Balanced had the one large steel step wedges, it also looks like they might have come plated.
This is definitely the original handle too by the way.

 

[WalnutRed]

Wow, thanks for the information. I'd never have discovered what this is without your help. Looking online I think another difference is the Sheldon has an oval eye an the Balanced has a round eye.