Help identifying this cutting tool

Puma · Feb 19, 2018

I found this tool on my last hunt last year and haven't seen the ground since.

Here's what I think I know about it:

Made by Zenith Tool Company, an Imprint of Marshall Wells Hardware of Duluth, MN.
Likely dates to 1900-1915, and other artifacts at the site point to this date range as well.
Came from what was likely an outbuilding/shed, which included horse tack and a wagon wrench.
The tool was probably never handled, but was meant to be struck on the top with a wooden mallet. Someone hit it with a hammer instead and mushroomed the striking platform.
The blade is beveled on both sides.
The tool is 4" wide at the blade.

My question is, what was the tool's purpose? There is a Zenith catalog from this era that has been reprinted. Anyone have a copy who would be willing to see if they could find this tool listed?

Thanks for any help!

Don

Peyton Manning · Feb 19, 2018

first, the 3 pics don't match
the first two I think is an adze for making a log into a beam

Simon1 · Feb 19, 2018

Possibly the top left pic. ?

Puma · Feb 19, 2018

Jeff-gordon: Didn't mean to confuse, but I assure you all pics are the same tool. In the third pic, the tool is on its side and I was trying to show the blade with its double bevel.

Simon-I think this is the right track, and my first thought was some sort of shingle cutting tool. This example doesn't have the notch in the side as shown in the catalog page you shared (thanks!). Also, to be one of these specific tools (shown on the page), the blade would have to have snapped fairly cleanly from the head and handle. Possible, but I have my doubts. Here is a photo of the platform end, opposite the blade.

cutty · Feb 19, 2018

I think it is a broken off shingle axe head also, maybe someone attempted to use it as a splitting wedge after it broke accounting for the mushrooming