What would this be ?

fernando · 30th September 2016, 12:57 PM

My camera went for repairs; will have to do with the smart phone.
Visibly connected with the hunting universe, but what would this be ?
Not a hanging token; no signs of a hanging ring. Some kind of tool ?
Has anyone seen one like this before ?

.

fernando · 1st October 2016, 11:08 AM

Not a clue ?

Rick · 1st October 2016, 04:32 PM

More information?
What's with the 'blade' material ?

fernando · 1st October 2016, 05:16 PM

Materiall would not be any kind of horn; more like some hard wood ... maybe darkened ... and smoothened. Five faceted cross section, faces slightly concave, soft edges, but rather pointy, as if it were for perforating purposes ... this with a bit of imagination.

.

Rick · 1st October 2016, 07:26 PM

Got me....

fernando · 2nd October 2016, 11:24 AM

But ... that is not five faced

.

Rick · 2nd October 2016, 05:27 PM

I'm 'stumped'....

Is this not an expression used in Portuguese, 'Nando?

fernando · 2nd October 2016, 09:22 PM

An idiomatic expression i was not familiar with; no strict equivalent in my lingo. Is it close from baffled ?

. Then we could use 'desconcertado' (disconcerted).

.

Ian · 3rd October 2016, 05:37 AM

Perhaps a sailor's fid that is used when splicing rope. Interesting piece and seems to have some age. Here's a picture from google but I cannot access the web page that it is taken from. It shows various splicing tools. There are three different fids --the middle one is multifaceted and has grooved edges (can't really see how many sides it has--maybe three).

Ian.

.

fernando · 3rd October 2016, 07:03 PM

Thank you Ian. A fair suggestion, but i am afraid the hunting decor and the reduced size of the handle wouldn't meet such purpose. Yes, it must have some age; it shows some wearing.
Still it could be for some kind of splicing alright

.

russel · 3rd October 2016, 09:28 PM

Could it be a knife sharpener, for honing a blade as butchers do?

Rick · 4th October 2016, 01:29 AM

I think it's safe to say that whatever this is it has been cobbled together from disparate elements.

I can't remember seeing a curved fid (Dad did a lot of splicing) in my Old Man's ditty bag.

A hone; were they often made from wood?
Maybe it's some kind of home made burnishing tool?

The hilt looks like a hilt from an Argentine Criollo.

russel · 4th October 2016, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Materiall would not be any kind of horn; more like some hard wood

.

Sorry, somehow I glossed over this detail.

R

fernando · 4th October 2016, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

... I think it's safe to say that whatever this is it has been cobbled together from disparate elements...

Possible

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

... Maybe it's some kind of home made burnishing tool?..

Less probable

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

... The hilt looks like a hilt from an Argentine Criollo.

With such a hunting scene; dogs chasing a deer ?

-

fernando · 4th October 2016, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

...I can't remember seeing a curved fid (Dad did a lot of splicing) in my Old Man's ditty bag....

Isn't this a fid in the sailor's knife ?

.

Rick · 4th October 2016, 08:59 PM

I think the curve may be there more to protect the owner's hand while the knife is folded up. The fid is also handy for loosening a tight or corroded shackle when the folder lacks a shackle key.

fernando · 5th October 2016, 11:05 AM

Noted

.

Ian · 5th October 2016, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I think it's safe to say that whatever this is it has been cobbled together from disparate elements. ...

Yes, it looks like a home-made tool of some sort, put together from bits and pieces. That would not be unusual for a sailor's item.

Could the wood be ebony? It certainly looks very dark in the pics.

How did you find this interesting piece Fernando?

fernando · 5th October 2016, 02:25 PM

Thank you Ian,
I appreciate your confirming Rick's assessment that this may be a put together device; you know, he is getting old and we never know if he is sure of his senses

. (Crossing fingers ... hoping he comprehends my sense of humour

).
Well, the other day i met with my local fellow collector with intention to go to Braga city, to check on a cased pair of flintlock pistols that looked a bit suspicious. First thing the seller did was to show me this object in discussion and, as we both ignored what it was, he promptly offered it to me, saying that he was getting rid of the riddle, as he was transferring it to me.
Yes, it does look like ebony, "pau preto" (black wood) as we call it here.

.

Ian · 6th October 2016, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Thank you Ian,
I appreciate your confirming Rick's assessment that this may be a put together device; you know, he is getting old and we never know if he is sure of his senses

. ...

I know, I know

Thanks for the interesting back story on this piece. A mystery indeed.

Ian.

Kmaddock · 6th October 2016, 08:58 AM

Hi
Could it be a "dibber"
a tool used in gardening? for potting plants
I attach a random picture from the net but if you google dibber you will find 100's of varieties

I taught I might as well throw this idea into the pot.
regards

Ken

fernando · 6th October 2016, 11:56 AM

All suggestions welcome, Ken

.
Nice old example of a dibber you show us; however this, as all other styles of dibbers, is at least twice as long as my object.
Together with the curved spike and the hunting scene (repeating myself) i hardly see it as a planting device ... even for bonsai specimens

.

CutlassCollector · 7th October 2016, 11:47 AM

Great puzzle!

Staying on the hunting theme - could it be something to do with preparing the carcass after the kill.
My experience is limited in these matters but perhaps a dull edge is handy for separating the flesh from the hide during skinning to avoid cutting through the skin.

Does the handle unscrew from the wood? Maybe there is something inside.

CC

fernando · 9th October 2016, 01:18 PM

I also thing this is some kind of tool, but i might be wrong though. My first thought was that it could be to apply the final blow on wounded (small) game, with its sharp point; my fantasy of course.
The handle is well fixed; glued, i guess.
Amazing that, only when using the flash, it shoes the brass material under the chrome finish.

.

30th September 2016, 12:57 PM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	What would this be ? My camera went for repairs; will have to do with the smart phone. Visibly connected with the hunting universe, but what would this be ? Not a hanging token; no signs of a hanging ring. Some kind of tool ? Has anyone seen one like this before ? . Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 30th September 2016 at 02:42 PM.

1st October 2016, 05:16 PM	#4
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Materiall would not be any kind of horn; more like some hard wood ... maybe darkened ... and smoothened. Five faceted cross section, faces slightly concave, soft edges, but rather pointy, as if it were for perforating purposes ... this with a bit of imagination. . Attached Images

1st October 2016, 07:26 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	Got me.... Attached Images

2nd October 2016, 09:22 PM	#8
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	An idiomatic expression i was not familiar with; no strict equivalent in my lingo. Is it close from baffled ? . Then we could use 'desconcertado' (disconcerted). . Attached Images

3rd October 2016, 05:37 AM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,035	Perhaps a sailor's fid that is used when splicing rope. Interesting piece and seems to have some age. Here's a picture from google but I cannot access the web page that it is taken from. It shows various splicing tools. There are three different fids --the middle one is multifaceted and has grooved edges (can't really see how many sides it has--maybe three). Ian. . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 3rd October 2016 at 05:48 AM.

1st October 2016, 11:08 AM	#2
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Not a clue ?

1st October 2016, 04:32 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	More information? What's with the 'blade' material ?

2nd October 2016, 11:24 AM	#6
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	But ... that is not five faced .

2nd October 2016, 05:27 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	I'm 'stumped'.... Is this not an expression used in Portuguese, 'Nando?

3rd October 2016, 07:03 PM	#10
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Thank you Ian. A fair suggestion, but i am afraid the hunting decor and the reduced size of the handle wouldn't meet such purpose. Yes, it must have some age; it shows some wearing. Still it could be for some kind of splicing alright .

3rd October 2016, 09:28 PM	#11
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	Could it be a knife sharpener, for honing a blade as butchers do?

4th October 2016, 01:29 AM	#12
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	I think it's safe to say that whatever this is it has been cobbled together from disparate elements. I can't remember seeing a curved fid (Dad did a lot of splicing) in my Old Man's ditty bag. A hone; were they often made from wood? Maybe it's some kind of home made burnishing tool? The hilt looks like a hilt from an Argentine Criollo.

4th October 2016, 08:59 PM	#16
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	I think the curve may be there more to protect the owner's hand while the knife is folded up. The fid is also handy for loosening a tight or corroded shackle when the folder lacks a shackle key.

5th October 2016, 11:05 AM	#17
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Noted .

5th October 2016, 02:25 PM	#19
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Thank you Ian, I appreciate your confirming Rick's assessment that this may be a put together device; you know, he is getting old and we never know if he is sure of his senses . (Crossing fingers ... hoping he comprehends my sense of humour ). Well, the other day i met with my local fellow collector with intention to go to Braga city, to check on a cased pair of flintlock pistols that looked a bit suspicious. First thing the seller did was to show me this object in discussion and, as we both ignored what it was, he promptly offered it to me, saying that he was getting rid of the riddle, as he was transferring it to me. Yes, it does look like ebony, "pau preto" (black wood) as we call it here. . Last edited by fernando; 5th October 2016 at 08:36 PM.

6th October 2016, 08:58 AM	#21
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 533	Hi Could it be a "dibber" a tool used in gardening? for potting plants I attach a random picture from the net but if you google dibber you will find 100's of varieties I taught I might as well throw this idea into the pot. regards Ken Attached Images

6th October 2016, 11:56 AM	#22
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	All suggestions welcome, Ken . Nice old example of a dibber you show us; however this, as all other styles of dibbers, is at least twice as long as my object. Together with the curved spike and the hunting scene (repeating myself) i hardly see it as a planting device ... even for bonsai specimens .

7th October 2016, 11:47 AM	#23
CutlassCollector Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Scotland Posts: 322	Great puzzle! Staying on the hunting theme - could it be something to do with preparing the carcass after the kill. My experience is limited in these matters but perhaps a dull edge is handy for separating the flesh from the hide during skinning to avoid cutting through the skin. Does the handle unscrew from the wood? Maybe there is something inside. CC

9th October 2016, 01:18 PM	#24
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	I also thing this is some kind of tool, but i might be wrong though. My first thought was that it could be to apply the final blow on wounded (small) game, with its sharp point; my fantasy of course. The handle is well fixed; glued, i guess. Amazing that, only when using the flash, it shoes the brass material under the chrome finish. . Attached Images