After some recent investigation, I.e. talking to my dad about the war axe/hatchet, I've found the following:
It was constructed by the first Souix blacksmith in/around Fort Laramie. This was evidently my double great granddad. Records are sparse and difficult to come by.
Granddad was born in 1888 and given what we know, that puts the hatchet being constructed mid 19th century.
I wonder how many men Native and Caucasian alike said hatchet has killed? And how much blood it's drawn...the last blood was when my grandfather chopped off his own toe with it about 1892 or 93.
Great thread...
Chip2447