Thanks to all for the welcome and usefull comments, also to Gene for posting my picture. I remembered the thread with Broadaxe's display when I found this chopper. Although when I looked again I saw that his were all cut from one piece of plate. This coupled with the weight of mine started to sow the seeds of doubt as to mine being an older piece. This weighs just over half a kilo and measures 13" in length. The fox is hollow cast with the legs being welded to the blade. No sign of it being arc welded or brazed so I believe it was hammer welded if that is the right term. In my view a domestic item probably to chop on a board or other light work. The welds being a potential weak point if used on wood, kindling etc. I really like the naive folk art look anyway and as my interest in edged weapons spills over into tools and other metalware it has found a permanent home!
When I learn to post pictures I promise the next item I post will be a weapon!
Mark.