Can anyone identify this axe?

[sonnycrockett84]

Can any axe experts out there tell me anything about this axe? I bought it at a flea market recently. Are the stars from the manufacturer or are they an owner's customization?

 

[gimpyrobb]

Looks to me like the stars are there to alert to the crack in the axe head.

 

[RTM]

Looks to me like the stars are there to alert to the crack in the axe head.

Is that the lamination line for the hardened steel?

 

[sonnycrockett84]

Is that the lamination line for the hardened steel?

Looks like a line. Not cracked

 

[mervyn]

Viking ceremonial ace ~

 

[four.cycle]

I cannot imagine any axe manufacturer randomly stamping a single design over both sides of the same tool.
Might show it to the guys at bladeforums.com and see if they can offer any insight, but I would posit "home-made" star design.

 

[paulsomlo]

I once read that George Washington stamped his implements with stars - that could be the one that took down the cherry tree!