large old vintage billhook or brush axe, primitive farm tool

Large old curved billhook or brush axe with a newer hickory handle. This billhook is from an old farm estate and measures about 39" long from the top of the axe head to the butt of the handle. The iron hook measures about 11" long and 8" wide (from the tip of the billhook over the iron straps).

This ax has a patina of age and rust, but we're not sure of the exact vintage and don't see a maker's name. We're guessing it is from the 1940s or 50s with a replacement handle. We don't think that it can be older then the early 1930s as the top strap is arc welded to the blade and arc welders weren't introduced until the early 1930s.