No apology needed here, T.C.; your eye was right on the mark regarding the e-bay hatchet head. It is East Indian in origin and is kind of interesting; it's probably an agricultural tool of some type, but could be used for cutting wood as well.
The head that Suzkat posted is along the lines of the original trade axe/hatchets furnished to the Amerindians and the Euro-settlers, long before the pipe tomahawks came into prominance sometime in the reasonably, early 1700s. Hard to say how old this head as it appears to have been a 'dug' piece and has rusted somewhat, (it may have had a mark on it, but if so is now gone). It is old, however. The flared bit style is old and may have been carried over from the Indo European war axe. This style, which no doubt found its way into Europe long ago, was popular for a time, but seems to have been discarded in favor of the familiar, conventional design that is still somewhat with us.
These were made by the French and English for the colonial trade and were widespread in the North American colonies. This one may very well be French as it is reported to have been found in Canada; hence it may date to the French period making it quite old.
Best-Dick
