Valjhun,
I always check on Bookfinder.com for the books I need. Here is a search on "Gamble" as "author" and "axes" as "title":
http://www.bookfinder.com/search/?au...ic&st=sr&ac=qr
It appears that James Douglas Gamble has several books, and I have no idea if "Battle Axes" and "Axes of War and Power" are similar in content. I beleive that the picture you have posted is from "Axes of War and Power". It is also the much cheaper one, as you can see.
I completely agree with you on the lumberjack hilt. However, the tang (or is socket a more appropriate term?) is not painted at all, it just comes out darker in the pictures. It is steel, the same patination as the rest of the piece. There is some simple engraving on it, most probably for decoration.
Regards,
Teodor