Stumped on these two items

[Bruce Hingst]

These two items were found below a bed hidden in the floorboards painted black in a shoe box. The hoe was razor sharp and could cut paper. When you rub the hoe it seems easier to read what is stamped in it. Both items are forged with writing and symbols all over on them I am thinking in Latin. They are very old. One appraiser sent them back to me because he was uncomfortable with them. I have many pictures. As you can see there is even markings inside the handle mounts.

 

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[Gare]

I believe they are garden implements, Hoe and a weed puller

 

[bowwinkles]

Like Gare said , they appear to be gardening hand tools for soil work.

 

[smokeythecat]

That is correct, but these are at least 150 years old.

 

[Rookster]

I'm thinking the forked tool in a potato digger.

 

[crabstang44]

Satan's garden tools

 

[randywa]

Would one be a fish gig? I know around Mo. they might have 3 or 4 tines, depending on who made them.

 

[Slowtaknow]

Thou shall reap what thou has sewn. Satan's garden will be watered in blood!

 

[sprailroad]

But razor sharp? And in a shoebox hidden beneath the floorboards?? I don't know, perhaps used for something OTHER than gardening? Something along the lines of a "Lizzy Borden" thing? "Gave her father forty wacks" (With an axe that is) Now as far as the "symbols & writing", I can't see any.

 

[Toecutter]

dont rub that hoe to hard ...... they defiantly look hand made/forged

 

[GopherDaGold]

Would one be a fish gig? I know around Mo. they might have 3 or 4 tines, depending on who made them.

Missouri boy here. Our froggin' gigs are barbed at the tines and don't attach to the pole at a right angle like the one shown. Most likely a very old garden implement as suggested.

 

[dognose]

The symbols are likely where the forged metal exfoliated or normal metal loss after so many years. Common in many of the old axes and tools I have collected.


It could have been whose ever bed it was collected them and they were special to that person. maybe they found them, sharpened them and put them away for safe keeping and for some unknown reason they were never retrieved. Person could have died unexpectedly

 

[dirtlooter]

Missouri boy here. Our froggin' gigs are barbed at the tines and don't attach to the pole at a right angle like the one shown. Most likely a very old garden implement as suggested.

beat me to it, fish gigs are made to be jabbed or even thrown at fish or even frogs on a straight shaft

 

[Gene Mean]

Nice old hand tools! Tell us more about the house and it's history. Were there slaves in the area?

 

[Gene Mean]

I don't see writing, I see normal pitting in the old metal.

 

[firemanphob]

I have seen ones like the pronged one used to pull down hay from a hay stack or out of the barn loft.

 

[A2coins]

Husband hid them and said they got stolen tired of working in the fields lol

 

[randywa]

Missouri boy here. Our froggin' gigs are barbed at the tines and don't attach to the pole at a right angle like the one shown. Most likely a very old garden implement as suggested.

I guess I need to adjust my glasses. I didn't notice the socket before. I've got an ancient gig that was broken above the barbs and was resharpened a few hundred times. The family story is my great grandfather used a long time.

 

[Subterranean]

But razor sharp? And in a shoebox hidden beneath the floorboards?? I don't know, perhaps used for something OTHER than gardening? Something along the lines of a "Lizzy Borden" thing? "Gave her father forty wacks" (With an axe that is) Now as far as the "symbols & writing", I can't see any.

No other reason to hide common gardening tools under a floorboard. They were either stolen property, or used in an assault or homicide and hidden from authorities. IMHO...

 

[A2coins]

o[ooopps