Colonial iron tool??

[Bill D. (VA)]

When I pulled this item out of the electrolysis tank today I realized this artifact wasn't what I thought it was. It was a solid, triangular hunk of iron and resembled a flat iron I'd already dug at this site except this one is much smaller. But after cleaning you can tell its some some of impact tool that had a handle. Its 4" long x 2.5" wide at the big end x 1" thick. Everything at this site dated to between 1680 and 1820 so it has to be old. Any idea what this is and what it might have been used for?

 

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[Tony in SC]

Blacksmith chesle ? Had a handle to hold it in place while it was hammered to cut a piece of hot iron. Tony

 

[DCMatt]

As Tony said, it looks like a chisel of some sort. Is it broken on the big end? If not, perhaps it was a failed attempt to make a specialty tool.

I looked at a bunch of colonial era farrier, blacksmith, and wheelwright tools. I saw similar items but none was described very well.

DCMatt

 

[bradyboy]

old trowel / spade
for planting ?
BradyBoy

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

As Tony said, it looks like a chisel of some sort. Is it broken on the big end? If not, perhaps it was a failed attempt to make a specialty tool.

I looked at a bunch of colonial era farrier, blacksmith, and wheelwright tools. I saw similar items but none was described very well.

DCMatt

No, it doesn't appear to be broken Matt. There's just a groove on the back side where some kind of handle was attached. With such a point on the business end I can't imagine what it might have been used for. Appreciate your interest and help .... Bill