What is this

[lhb149]

This appears to be iron that was formed into this device- it is from Civil War and was used with a small cast iron kettle??? Any one know what it really is???? thanks for your help. This is the first time I have been on this site. Hope you can help.

 

[kbear]

Can you add a pic showing some dimensions and also a picture showing the "head" and "foot" of it? I will be following to see what it is. Someone on here will know!

 

[lhb149]

It is approx. 4" in length . The foot looks like it was a rivet or really big nail? Hope this helps...

 

[AndyHall]

It looks like a home-made gouge.

 

[lhb149]

If so what do you think it would have been used for?

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I agree with Andy, it looks like a homemade "something" . . . maybe from a railroad spike ?

Welcome aboard.

 

[lhb149]

This is helpful I have a bunch of civil war stuff that I was asked to research...

 

[Jobe Holiday]

It looks like a leather working tool to me!
J.

 

[AndyHall]

The head is similar to a railroad spike, but it seems short at c. 4 inches. Definitely meant to be struck with a hammer or mallet. Maybe a manufactured gouge or chisel that's been reworked when it got worn down.

 

[AndyHall]

This looks similar, but I do think yours is made by a blacksmith.

http://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-221425/old-antique-clock-makers-chisel-gouge-punch-tool.html

 

[Glen_C]

http://www.treasurenet.com/

 

[7thWisconsin]

I'm willing to go with the clock maker chisel guess, or that it's a chisel for fine furniture carving or wood sculpting. It is, however, exactly the same length as leather working tools I used to have. I believe that specific tool is called a "veiner" because it's most often used to carve the veins of leaves into the leather. My tools were chromed and significantly younger than that, but fine leather work using tools like that has been done for a long while, so a hundred year old tool conceivably could look like that. Give us some context: where did you get it, and what was it with?

 

[Package4]

Yes definitely a gouge, whether for leather or wood, is beyond me.