[BCMA] Need Help Identifying an Artefact

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

Hi Jim.  To me it looks like a blacksmith's hot chisel, with the long handle
used to keep the heat at arm's length.  The blade would be placed on the
piece of red hot steel and then struck with the hammer to make the cut.  At
least, that's what it looks like to me.   I have seen similar, though
cruder, examples during my curating adventures.  The ratchet-like hole is a
mystery to me, although it might be used to vary the blade's angle to the
handle, which might be useful in close quarters or as a personal
customization for comfort or ease of use.  In the closer view one can see
that it might be possible to "lock" the blade in either position.A very nice
example (if that is indeed what it is), I usually see them in the form of a
chisel with a length of heavy gauge wire wrapped around it to act as a
handle.

 

Andrew R. Minigan

Curator

Heritage Park Museum

(250) 635 4546

heritageparkmuseum.com

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.vvv.com/pipermail/bcma/attachments/20100406/5be77aea/attachment.htm