Hatchets were very common items in the West. Indians made them from stone before steel ones made their way West.
Trappers carried them as tools and weapons.
Hatchets were also referred to as tomahawks or small axes.
Trade hatchets sometimes had a pipe bowl on the back of the head, being known as pipe-axes, or pipe-tomahawks.
These gave rise to the phrase of "burying the hatchet" indicating peace had been made.
Here are some clips regarding hatchets:

From Russell:
The next morning we went to “Howells encampment” but found no
tree marked neither had the earth been disturbed since we had closed it upon the remains of the
unfortunate Howell We now sat down and consulted upon the best course to pursue As Winter
was approaching we could not think of stopping in this country where parties of Blackfeet were
ranging at all seasons of the year. After a few moments deliberation we came to the conclusion
and I wrote a note enclosed it in a Buffaloe horn buried it at the foot of the tree and then marked
the tree with my hatchet This being done we mounted our Mules and started back to the mountain

Also from Russell:
A Trappers equipments in such
cases is generally one Animal upon which is placed one or two Epishemores a riding Saddle and
bridle a sack containing six Beaver traps a blanket with an extra pair of Mocasins his powder horn
and bullet pouch with a belt to which is attached a butcher Knife a small wooden box containing
bait for Beaver a Tobacco sack with a pipe and implements for making fire with sometimes a
hatchet fastened to the Pommel of his saddle his personal dress is a flannel or cotton shirt (if he is
fortunate enough to obtain one, if not Antelope skin answers the purpose of over and under shirt)
a pair of leather breeches with Blanket or smoked Buffaloe skin, leggings, a coat made of Blanket
or Buffaloe robe a hat or Cap of wool, Buffaloe or Otter skin his hose are pieces of Blanket lapped
round his feet which are covered with a pair of Moccassins made of Dressed Deer Elk or Buffaloe
skins with his long hair falling loosely over his shoulders complets his uniform.

From Wislizenus:
Another weapon, peculiar to the Indian, is the tomahawk, a small hatchet which they use in close fight,
and likewise purchase at the forts. In former times they made them themselves of pointed stones.
Often the tomahawk is made so as to serve also as a pipe for smoking.

From George Catlin (artist):
On Monday, the seventh day from the mouth of the Yellow Stone River, we floated away from this
noble scene; looking back again and again upon it, wondering at its curious and endless changes,
as the swift current of the river, hurried us by, and gradually out of sight of it. We took a sore of
melancholy leave of it -- but at every bend and turn in the stream, we were introduced to others[huge bluffs] --
and others -- and yet others, almost as strange and curious. At the base of one of these, although
we had passed it, we with difficulty landed our canoe, and I ascended to its top, with some hours’
labour; having to cut a foot-hold in the clay with my hatchet for each step, a great part of the way
up its sides. So curious was this solitary bluff, standing alone as it did, to the height of 250 feet,
with its sides washed down into hundreds of variegated forms -- with large blocks of indurated
clay, remaining upon pedestals and columns as it were, and with such a variety of tints; that I
looked upon it as a beautiful picture, and devoted an hour or two with my brush, in transferring it
to my canvass.

From Ferris:
They are the same Indians who encamped with Smith, Sublett and Jackson, on
the Arkansas last summer, and there buried their hatchets and animosity together. But it appears
from their proceedings this far, that they have raised both since.

A Shoshone Indian Smoking, by Alfred Jacob Miller

Thanks. Look forward to these!