Help identifying this cutting tool

Puma

Greenie
Joined
Mar 19, 2017
Messages
10
Reaction score
11
Golden Thread
0
Location
Washington
Detector(s) used
Teknetics T2
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
I found this tool on my last hunt last year and haven't seen the ground since.

Here's what I think I know about it:

  • Made by Zenith Tool Company, an Imprint of Marshall Wells Hardware of Duluth, MN.
  • Likely dates to 1900-1915, and other artifacts at the site point to this date range as well.
  • Came from what was likely an outbuilding/shed, which included horse tack and a wagon wrench.
  • The tool was probably never handled, but was meant to be struck on the top with a wooden mallet. Someone hit it with a hammer instead and mushroomed the striking platform.
  • The blade is beveled on both sides.
  • The tool is 4" wide at the blade.


My question is, what was the tool's purpose? There is a Zenith catalog from this era that has been reprinted. Anyone have a copy who would be willing to see if they could find this tool listed?

Thanks for any help!

Don
 

Attachments

  • tool-1.webp
    tool-1.webp
    569.9 KB · Views: 136
  • tool-2.webp
    tool-2.webp
    498.1 KB · Views: 79
  • tool-3.webp
    tool-3.webp
    418.1 KB · Views: 126
first, the 3 pics don't match
the first two I think is an adze for making a log into a beam
 

Upvote 0
zen3.webp Possibly the top left pic. ?
 

Upvote 0
Jeff-gordon: Didn't mean to confuse, but I assure you all pics are the same tool. In the third pic, the tool is on its side and I was trying to show the blade with its double bevel.

Simon-I think this is the right track, and my first thought was some sort of shingle cutting tool. This example doesn't have the notch in the side as shown in the catalog page you shared (thanks!). Also, to be one of these specific tools (shown on the page), the blade would have to have snapped fairly cleanly from the head and handle. Possible, but I have my doubts. Here is a photo of the platform end, opposite the blade.

tool-1-2.webp
 

Upvote 0
I think it is a broken off shingle axe head also, maybe someone attempted to use it as a splitting wedge after it broke accounting for the mushrooming
 

Upvote 0
looks like it could be a broken shack hatchet like stated or a just some splitting wedge or chisel
 

Upvote 0

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom