Unusual 3 tine fork from a cooper's shop

[cellerfeller]

We have been detecting at a barrell cooper's shop site recently that was shown on an 1872 map. We found a barrell adze, an offset stave axe - and this really odd little 3 tine fork.
It had a collar that would fit over the handle and was forged with a hole in the spike end that had a little square nail in it. The tines are only 4 1/2" long and they don't seem to be worn short - that appears to be the original size. I have dug a lot of hoes, forks and shovels over the years but this one is unique. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the design/use? Total length is 11" Inside diameter of the collar ring is 1 3/8, width of the fork is 4 5/8".

 

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[luke_00]

Potato fork, for digging spuds

 

[ticndig]

It's an old one for sure , I'd restore it and put it to work. I used mine this evening to dig a few spring onions . it's a hand fork , used when you're down on the ground . Not how I dig potato's , I use a long handle turning fork for that.




























I would put on a new handle and put it to work.

 

[Tony in SC]

I say it was a tater/onion digger or used to turn the soil in the spring?

 

[crashbandicoot]

The hoe looking thing I believe is called a froe.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Perfect fork for digging bottle dumps. Gary

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Not a froe. On those the handle attaches at one end perpendicular to the blade. That's a cooper broad axe for smoothing the staves and inside of barrels.