So I'm updating this post - thanks for the great responses, bmatt and WanderingThinker. I hit up Uncle Bern on this one. In addition to axe knowledge, he's quite a historian, as well. He took two stabs at it, on would be similar to a barking spud, the other, he thought, might be "...possibly used to pound oakum into the cracks/spaces between the boards on a sailing ship (thus possibly a ship/boat building tool)."
I never thought about nautical possibilities. Funny thing, when I think of Snow and Nealley, I think straight up woodsman. However, being based in Bangor, Maine, they were smack in the middle of big timber country and not too far from the coast, so it really is a possibility. Winterport, Maine (about a 20 minute drive outside of Bangor), I think has tidal inlet going on, even though it isn't directly on the ocean.
Good thoughts so far, guys. I'm not even sure where you'd get a handle for it. Probably have to make one. Even as a collector's piece, it'd be cool.
Pax Domini Sit Semper Vobiscum,
Mike, Oscar, Hotel.....out.
It'd just take a typical double bit handle. A lot of nealley DB's had that octagon shaped eye.
ReplyDeleteBeats the heck outta me!
ReplyDeleteI don't suppose that could be the legendary left handed calathumpian wim wam?
ReplyDeletehttp://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/
Hey Ricson might have hit on something. Maybe it was only forged on one side and they never got the other... Assumeing the big hammer only smacked one side, they flipped it and hit the other.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to research this one more! Thanks for sharing!
Post Tenebras, Lux
Dirus Canis
The Wolf and Moon™
Woodworking Tools of Afghanistan
It does look like a boat builders axe & caulking tool. There are old versions here in Suffolk UK. I'll see if I can sig up a photo for you.
ReplyDeleteregards,
Andy