Need ID help on recently found colonial iron artifact

[Bill D. (VA)]

Found this at my 1600s mill site a couple weeks ago, and finally finished up the electrolysis work on it. I posted this before right after I first dug it, and a couple posters complimented me on a nice "axe". But this can't be an axe based on how it's made. I would think it's more in line with a splitter or chisel of some sort. Can anyone definitively ID this piece? Thanks.

 

[HEAVYMETALNUT]

good job on the restore.i'd have to agree with you

 

[oldsalty19]

Looks like some sort of "builders or wood workers" chisel......good luck

 

[tinpan]

hi Just a thought ? Tobacco cutter or meat cleaver

tinpan

 

[BosnMate]

It had a wooden handle, but the socket looks pounded on, like something I'd do if the handle of my chisel was broken and I needed to do something now. It could have started life as a "spud," for barking logs. and ended up a chisel.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

It had a wooden handle, but the socket looks pounded on, like something I'd do if the handle of my chisel was broken and I needed to do something now. It could have started life as a "spud," for barking logs.View attachment 784328 and ended up a chisel.

I think you might be onto something. Thanks for your input.

 

[Valley Ranger]

It had a wooden handle, but the socket looks pounded on, like something I'd do if the handle of my chisel was broken and I needed to do something now. It could have started life as a "spud," for barking logs.View attachment 784328 and ended up a chisel.

That would be my best guess, though the angled part on the blade looks like an axe head. Also, most bark spud blades have a scooped, spoon shape to them.

 

[johnnyblaze]

Bill i think it was a homemade tool for a specific trade

We still do it today


Blaze

 

[yelnif]

It had a wooden handle, but the socket looks pounded on, like something I'd do if the handle of my chisel was broken and I needed to do something now. It could have started life as a "spud," for barking logs.View attachment 784328 and ended up a chisel.

Nice find BillD -Good call BosnMate -bark spud. I was thinking a slick or firmer chisel-also for woodworking HH yelnif

 

[Forty-Niner]

It looks like a Rev. War era fascine knife with the