Steel Spike, Initialed SHF

[cel7]

Originally Posted by mickety

I've had this sitting on my desk for years and have no idea what it is?

Bearing inscribed gilt decorated initials "SHF" which I believe may be for a Samuel Hoppe of Solingen(?) or possibly a Simon Helvig Fils, a French armourer from the Alsace.

19cm long, easily gripped with thumb and forefinger, about 4cm from the point there is a small piece of brass, possibly gilt, inset into the steel.

Anybody any ideas what this?

Many thanks.

It looks to me like a tool made from the blade of a sword. No idea what its for.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by cel7

It looks to me like a tool made from the blade of a sword. No idea what its for.

Most certainly not a weapon, indeed. So that we move it to the Miscellania forum. Let us see what other members think of it.

[fernando]

Perhaps a broken blade having undergone a modification ... to a whatever purpose spoon ? .

[cel7]

Originally Posted by fernando

Perhaps a broken blade having undergone a modification ... to a whatever purpose spoon ? .

I think you are right Fernando and that it is indeed a spoon. Maybe for sugar or something like that.

[RSWORD]

It is the tang of the sword blade and just a bit of the forte showing the makers mark. Not sure it had an alternate purpose than just being a broken blade where the blade remnant was rounded off. Perhaps used as a fancy letter opener versus being discarded.

[Kmaddock]

Hi All
I was thinking it could be a Tea Caddy spoon or a meat skewer?
Regards,
Ken

[fernando]

On a second thought, it lacks the concavity for a spoon; or the length for a letter opener. Notwithstanding its form was most probably meant to have a purpose !

[mickety]

Originally Posted by cel7

I think you are right Fernando and that it is indeed a spoon. Maybe for sugar or something like that.

You mean for breaking up large sugar blocks or perhaps ice? Never thought of that?

The small piece of inset brass seems to have served a purpuse and the fact that the thumb grip so neatly bears the decoration and initials makes me think it's been designed for a specific purpose. I thought it may have been a pin/holder/support for a larger piece, perhaps a large firearm?

Really appreciate all your responses. Thanks.