what sort of hatchet is this ?  lathers?   shingles?

Will dressing the hammer end decrease the value?


may 012 by skipskip, on Flickr

 lath hatchet, probably
  The blade doesn't extend above the head, meaning it won't catch the ceiling when working at the top of a wall.

Its hardly any different than a roofers ax. Roofers mostly use stubbier checkered face heads, and very short, very wide handles, with some sort of gauge on it for keeping the shingle exposure even.
 
  Go ahead and do anything you want to it.
  Lath hatchets made in the previous century?
  If they have a value beyond the utility value of a very small portable ax to use?
   I can't find it.
  yours Scott