MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Wendyf]

Is it your eye drops?

[David Whipp]

With Wendy on this.

[chinatyke]

A plastic drink container with lid seen from above?

[LizG]

I agree with the eye drops.

[micktoon]

I have had this tool lying around for years , I can not even remember where I got it from, probably a car boot sale ? I have shown it to a few people that collect tools etc and no one has a clue what it actually is, it could be from any trade and the small notch cut out at the far end of the 'blade' right hand side ( just visable ) may have been not original and added later ?
It looks old and is of general good quality it has no makers marks at all, its iron with wood handle and brass ferrule, its well made , the edges are not sharp and the 'blade' part is sort of a triangle section, the underside of what you see is flat.
Any ideas anyone ?



If anyone wants more info or more photos just ask.
Cheers Mick

[chinatyke]

With the notch it looks like a thread was pulled through something of heavy duty. Could it be for working leather or sail making or canvas sewing?

[Stanley]

It was the eye drop bottle.
Mick, I'm almost certain I know exactly what it is as I have seen one used. I'll keep quiet and let everyone have a go. I can always drop a clue in if it baffles you. Very rare, a good example and it should be kept safe!

[David Whipp]

Agree with China about the 'crochet hook' like look of it.

Its length suggests pushing it in to something to snag something at depth?

Stanley's knowledge of it suggests a textile connection?

I wonder it it's got something to do with butchery?

[Whyperion]

Could be a fire poker or prickler ( though they would normally have a ceramic or metal handles ( mine is a separated sprial of metal around the central rod giving some protection from heat transfer ). A triangular section would break up clag in a domestic fire / range cooker quite well I guess.

[Gloria]

Is it for ramming into something? I thought cotton bales at first so they could be lifted, but could it be for bags of rice or provin, the channel would allow the grain to run out from the middle and the quality could be checked.
No idea really, just guessing.

[hartley353]

I have a similar tool but in miniature, and it is used to enlarge holes, a bit like a manual cone cutter. By its design it doesn't leave burrs, but can only be used on thin plate.

[Stanley]

If I'm right.... nobody is anywhere close as yet. I thought Glo was getting close when she mentioned 'ramming' but then she sheered off course. It's a very specific use by one trade and only used for one part of their activities. Keep guessing, I promise I'll give clues if needed. Mind you, it really is obscure!

[David Whipp]

Castrating tupps?

[David Whipp]

I know that isn't right, but I was thinking that the 'blade' (for want of a better term) could penetrate flesh, then the notch be used to sever something within the penetrated body...

[Stanley]

Sorry, way out. Think of the notch in the end, look at the way it is constructed. Built for being pushed hard! (No blood or cruelty involved)

[hartley353]

Is it used for caulking, gland packings etc.

[Stanley]

No, but you are moving on the right lines. Don't want to spoil the fun by giving clues that are too obvious but if I'm being too mysterious please tell me and I'll be more specific. This is a good one Mick!
Concentrate on the notch and think ramming home.

[plaques]

It looks like a very useful tool for roof thatching. ie: a binding needle.

[Cathy]

At first I thought it might be for helping to pick up hay bales, but I guess the bale would just spin around. Then I thought that because it has a nicely finished and shaped wooden handle that it was meant to be used indoors. Trying to think of how it would feel to have the wooden part in your hand and what you could do with it.

[Gloria]

I agree with the thatching tool, I can imagine what the handle would feel like in my hand, and a lot of pressure/push could be got behind it.

[Bodger]

Stanley, is using terminology, ramming, sheered, that could be applied to wool /sheep, so wool sampler for checking that the wool on the outside of the bale is the same as the interior ?

[hartley353]

Has this tool been modified, originally my first thought was a splicing tool for ropes, the notch suggests it may be usad to draw a cord after being pushed through some thing. I have baiting needles of a similar design, but not on this scale.

[Stanley]

I think it's time we had a BIG CLUE! Think straw and horses.....

[LizG]

Is it something to do with baling?

[hartley353]

Something to do with a mixture of horse dung, straw and clay used for house building.