Awl ? For Leather Work

[Cariboo5]

My son found this detecting in the gold rush ghost town of Stanley, BC. Stanley had quite a few Chinese merchant stores in its heyday. This piece fits perfectly in one's hand, looks like it could possible be an awl as used in leather work, or perhaps a weapon of some sort..I'm not sure..

All idea's welcome....Thanks in advance.

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[Cariboo5]

I wasn't even close, just found out this is a candle holder used by the miners in the mine shaft as their source of light. They would stick it into a timber with a lit candle as their only source of light.... I'm guessing late 1890's to early 1900's era.

[fortbybee]

Very cool !

[kuger]

Yes,sometimes called a "Stckin Tommy",(after the Cornish)I would say your example may be a little earlier then you think

[mamabear]

great piece of history. one I never heard of. have you thought of putting it in a museum?

[Cariboo5]

kuger .."Stckin Tommy" is the slang used..Thanks.. This looks hand forged probably by the local black smith at Stanley. I have not been able to find any other examples exactly like this one which leads me to believe it is earlier as you pointed out..

mamabear, its not my piece, and I'm not sure what my son is planning to do with it..You are bang on as it is a nice piece of history.

[kuger]

Yes,Cariboo,I am well aware of that.I have collected them for many years.Unless they were mass produced(which was more within the time you noted)they were handforged and can date back to the 1830's-40's as they were also used on ships,especially Whaling.

[Cariboo5]

kuger, as a collector and from your experience what would you estimate the year this may have been made.. Thanks

[kuger]

Thats a tough call,being hand forged it could span many years.What period did the area you found it date to?

[Cariboo5]

This was found in the town of Stanley, B.C. which sprung up in the Cariboo Gold Rush era starting in 1858. Stanley had a lot of merchant shop, stables, hotels and more than likely a blacksmith shop. Mining was at its peak during the 1860's to 1870's. Several mine sites and shafts were on Lightning Creek, and the town of Stanley is also by Lightning Creek.

I think you are correct that it is earlier than I first thought and I'm guessing this may be as early as the 1860's by that local history....

[kuger]

This was found in the town of Stanley, B.C. which sprung up in the Cariboo Gold Rush era starting in 1858. Stanley had a lot of merchant shop, stables, hotels and more than likely a blacksmith shop. Mining was at its peak during the 1860's to 1870's. Several mine sites and shafts were on Lightning Creek, and the town of Stanley is also by Lightning Creek.

I think you are correct that it is earlier than I first thought and I'm guessing this may be as early as the 1860's by that local history....

very well could be