Can you identify this punch (?)

[geomagno]

Was in some of my granddad's things. Tip is very sharp. The blunt end is machined and not a separate piece screwed into place. You can see vague marks on that blunt end where a screw held it into a handle or attachment. There are no holes in it. I've had guesses from plumb bob to leather punch. I lean toward leather punch; if there was a removable handle on the end then I would think this was part of a set. Ever seen this?

 

[Copymutt]

If it had a handle it could be used as a marlin spike. Was grandad a mariner?

 

[RTM]

I would doubt leather. If you were making a hole that big, you would use an arch punch, or similar, as seen here.

Osborne Tools : Catalog No. 71 : C.S. Osborne & Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

72 p., illus., 27.9 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[Drill Sergeant Arc]

The fat end shows no sign of any type of impact from a hammer. It resembles a plumb bob in most ways.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I think it is a fid for splicing rope

 

[geomagno]

If it had a handle it could be used as a marlin spike. Was grandad a mariner?

Tip is really sharp. Sharper than marlin spikes I've handled. Granddad was a machinist if that helps.

I would doubt leather. If you were making a hole that big, you would use an arch punch, or similar, as seen here.

Tip is fine, would create a small hole. I suppose it could be used to make holes in gaskets but holes would be imperfect.

 

[geomagno]

I think it is a fid for splicing rope

Don't fids have a cavity to hold a loose end to pull through?
If the tip were rounded, most of the suggestions would fit and I could just let this go. Damn it's a quandary. Keep the guesses coming! Any pics of similar tools also appreciated.

 

[geomagno]

The fat end shows no sign of any type of impact from a hammer. It resembles a plumb bob in most ways.

The sharp tip along with it lacking a hole to tie a line too makes those I've talked with discount this idea (that was the first suggestion). Aren't plumb bobs short and stubby? I have a couple old school ones. Thx for the input.

 

[gmcgeo]

https://tinesdirect.com/product/verti-drain-solid-tine-hardened-50mm-dia-x-300mm-long/


looks like an aeration tine.

 

[geomagno]

https://tinesdirect.com/product/verti-drain-solid-tine-hardened-50mm-dia-x-300mm-long/


looks like an aeration tine.

That is the closest thing I've seen to my tool. I'll contact them and see what they think.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Don't fids have a cavity to hold a loose end to pull through?
If the tip were rounded, most of the suggestions would fit and I could just let this go. Damn it's a quandary. Keep the guesses coming! Any pics of similar tools also appreciated.

You could Google for images. I have a fid or two from my yachting daze.

 

[gmcgeo]

You could Google for images. I have a fid or two from my yachting daze.

a fid is a generally wood, a marlinspike would be made of metal. i see what you are thinking. however this does not resemble a marlinspike

 

[geomagno]

Already tried to do a reverse image search. Anything similar is short and stubby. Contacted 'tinesdirect' and they had nothing to match it to.

 

[larry_g]

To me the two half circle marks on the small end say 'setscrew' tip to me. So there was something there that was held on by a setscrew.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[isb cornbinder]

It is a fid.

 

[SquirrelsTools]

It looks like the spike my grandfather used to repair wire bridge cable by hand but smaller. Going with steel cable Marlin spike for my guess.