Anybody know what this tool might have been used for?

[Mud Hut]

This was found while tearing down a barn, but I have not been able to find out what it was used for. It appears to be homemade by a blacksmith; both the horizontal and vertical front edges are tapered (the lower on is tapered on just one side); the handle is 16 inches long and the horizontal cutting edge is about 2 inches with the vertical edge about 2.4 inches, and it shows no wear from hitting with a hammer, etc. Obviously used for splitting something, it seems, but what? Any help you could give me would be appreciated.

 

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[pistol-pete]

Can't think of the name, but could be a piece that goes through the hole of a anvil to shape metal

 

[Tpmetal]

Im thinking pistol-pete is on the right track here. looks very much like an anvil accessory.

 

[diverrick]

My guess is an anvil accessory for spliting/making shingles.

 

[Tpmetal]

My guess is an anvil accessory for spliting/making shingles.

I'm thinking the tool is way too thick of a tool for shingles. Most likely for cutting/folding/ bending metal while forging?

 

[Mackaydon]

I was thinking boot mud scrapper. Bury the point and keep the boot next to the rectangle piece for cleaning the sides while the long piece removes dirt,/mud/clods.
Don....

 

[Tpmetal]

I was thinking boot mud scrapper. Bury the point and keep the boot next to the rectangle piece for cleaning the sides while the long piece removes dirt,/mud/clods.
Don....

I've never seen a boot scraper with perpendicular blades like this. But the tapered spike and worn edges just screams anvil tool like no tomorrow(im 99 percent sure on that). The question is what type of tool because it seems to be a specialized one I haven't seen before.

 

[taz42o]

The tang seems far too long and thin to be an anvil hardy.
I think it would have had a wood handle.

 

[Tpmetal]

My large anvil has several tools with tangs that long.... though it does open up possibilities if we consider it having a wooden handle. Hopefully someone will chime in with id sooner or later here. Im still leaning towards anvil tool though.

 

[releventchair]

Stain looks like something was being split. Lower portion of first picture.
I have made spuds for peeling logs that were more of a single flat blade with a bevel on one side. Tang off set for a handle would give more clearance to avoid " barking" knuckles.
Adding the vertical piece might split bark in half along surface being worked allowing a straight push ,but really no idea what the piece was used for.

Bark for tanning hides had a ready market at one time. A tool for homestead use might not need to be so fancy.
Skin the bark off in one round pipe shape open on one side ,weight stack of sections to dry flat for transport.

 

[Mud Hut]

Great thoughts so far .. I appreciate you all!

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

The anvil piece sounds good - especially since there are several types - they are called "hardys".

Mrs. O

 

[Mud Hut]

I showed it to an old-timer and he swears it is a tool used to slide between roofing shingles, slate, etc. I for the life of me can't see how this thing would work in that application.

 

[taz42o]

Similar to a slaters stake, but not like ones ive used.

 

[BagLady]

There was a hardy piece we used in horseshoeing school for cutting the heels off of a forged shoe, but, it would be minus the cross piece.
My guess is this was a specialty piece having to do with forging/cutting the making of chains.
And I do think it was made to fit an anvil.
Please let us know if you find out for sure.
It's a great piece!

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

The thing with hardys, is that anyone who does forging, can - and often does - make their own hardys for specific thing that they are doing- heck, I will take bets that there are thousands+ of different ones.