Can you identify this??

[Grandfather's Tools]

Hello all,

I'm trying to determine how old this tool is, and what it is/was used for. If you can see my pic clearly, you have what I have. The company is a 3 letter acronym but I can't tell what the first letter is. So I have ___. F. D. & Co. First letter could be Z, E, B? and the word under that looks like Skeffield, but if the EN below that is for England, then it's probably Sheffield, even though the second letter really does look like a K. As for the letters to the right in a circle, I am not sure what the word is. It appears to be 8 characters, with the first letter at 7 o clock, reading clockwise. The last 4 characters look like ANCE. My best guess is that it spells Reliance.

When I search on vintage or antique putty knives, or chisels, I see nothing that looks like this. Not surprising as it looks nothing like my putty knives or chisels, but it's all I could think of. It has no flex to it like my putty knives, and it doesn't look built to be hit with a hammer. So just some kind of old scraper maybe? There is some paint drips on the handle so that could be a clue. Anyway, I'd appreciate any experience you care to share. Cheers!

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Interesting find. Did a bit of a dig on the net but to no avail. Will try again later.
First guess and it is a wild one. Since you are in Virginia and the blade being so stiff. Could it have been used by a ferrier for cleaning up a hoof for shoeing? I realize that it might not resemble what would be used today. Unless old lathe and plaster needed a sturdy blade to adhere plaster between the lathe.
Someone on GJ likely knows someone generally comes through. Good Luck!

 

[Grandfather's Tools]

Thanks for the reply! While I'm in Virginia now, I'm the first in my family to live anywhere but Baltimore. : ) So while I do have tools from dad, grandfather, godfather, and their fathers very likely, everyone settled in Baltimore and lived their lives there.

 

[3baygarage]

Is it thicker than a putty knife?

Looks like it says B. F. D. & CO. SHEFFIELD ENGLAND RELIANCE

 

[Grandfather's Tools]

Is it thicker than a putty knife?

Looks like it says B. F. D. & CO. SHEFFIELD ENGLAND RELIANCE

It's a little thicker than my thickest putty knife. I have an old red devil made in usa that is very hard to flex but it does bend ever so slightly. This one is steel, and has no flex, but yes, only slightly thicker than the red devil.