Identifying a German axe

[zarathustrabf]

Can anyone help identify this axe? Looks like it says Made in Germany, looks like it says 3.5 lbs. Is it a Helko or something else? Anyone know the quality of this axe? Many thanks for your help. Pictures 1 & 2

 

[300Six]

Highly unlikely the Germans would use inferior steel or goof on the tempering process. Run a flat file over the blade to see how hard it is. The head hasn't seen much use and matter of fact may still be the factory edge.

 

[Liberatus1]

I think yours looks like it might be related to the axe in this thread. The axe he is asking after was originally blue. Someone mentions Johann Wiebelhaus & Co and that is probably it I think. I've found them also stamped with "Ruhr" which evidently is an industrial region and not a brand. Wiebelhaus was in that region but I'm not sure how many other manufacturers of axes are there too. I have one pictured below which has sent me on this quest. I think mine might be a bit newer than yours given mine being a more American pattern and with the allusion to West Germany in the stamp.

 

[300Six]

Indeedy, Ruhr Valley was/is heart of industrial Germany and why the Allies were so keen to breach the hydroelectric dams situated there.

 

[cmshoot]

I have an older Wiebelhaus & Co (says Made In Germany instead of West Germany) with the Wiebelhaus stamp. When I was cleaning it I found traces of blue paint.