WW2 ONWARDS US PILOT/CREW ESCAPE AXE
This style of escape axe was used by both the USAF and Commonwealth Air forces (RAF, RAAF) from WW2 onwards.They are still in use today.
The axe is a standard emergency survival tool carried in allied bombers, fighters and gliders to help downed crews hack through fuselage walls and escape The Commonwealth Forces example generally did not have the solid centre and was hung inside the aorcraft. The USAF example had the solid centre. This example has been field sharpened and has seen use.