Help identifying antique hand forged digging bar with brass head

[grahambo357]

Hello, My name is Graham. I am new to this forum. Was hoping somebody out there knew anything about what type of digging bar this was or what it was used for. The head of The bar is wrapped in brass, I'd say 5/16" thick. If anybody has any info I sure would appreciate it. Thank you!

 

[nadogail]

Welcome to the Forum from South Western California

A digging bar 5/16" inch thick will tackle a large tub of Ice Cream

 

[RTM]

To me that’s kind of wrong. Digging bar is hard heavy steel, for breaking up hard dirt etc. Brass, even 5/16” thick, is much softer, and would get destroyed in that line of work, I’d think.

Seems more appropriate as a bar used to pry, and the brass protects the victim from the steel’s damage.

¢¢ about what you paid for it

 

[grahambo357]

Welcome to the Forum from South Western California

A digging bar 5/16" inch thick will tackle a large tub of Ice Cream

Just the brass that surrounds the top of the bar is 5/16" thick.

 

[grahambo357]

I'm sorry I do not know how to add pictures. It keeps saying something is wrong.

 

[grahambo357]

New photo · Tuesday, Jun 17 📸

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[grahambo357]

8 new photos · Tuesday, Jun 17 📸

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photos.app.goo.gl

 

[Jacobs976]

Looks more like a ram rod in my opinion. Non sparking so it isn't a projectile itself but generally they'd be wood on at least the handle section. Also looks quite old, at the least having been heavily rusted and restored.

Also try adding pics in editing. They don't like posting on my phone either on posts but edits usually work.

 

[RTM]

Looks more like a ram rod in my opinion. Non sparking so it isn't a projectile itself

This sounds more logical than digging bar, based on your pix, might be bronze not brass as well.

My digging bar has a pointed fatter end, you can just drop it and get stuff done, or throw it down a bit. The pointed end also helps get rocks moving

 

[leg17]

Is it wrought iron with a steel working end and a brass handle end?
Pretty cool.

 

[gmcgeo]

could be a logging bar, or Gandalf's staff

 

[grahambo357]

Definitely gandalf's staff. I would agree with the non-sparking part about it except for the fact that the end is exposed iron. I feel like if they were using a tool like this to prevent spark it would have complete coverage.

 

[grahambo357]

And that groove has to have some kind of purpose. I've had this thing for probably 15 years and it kills me not knowing what it is. Google image search has been a blessing on many levels but will not give me any results for this that are usable.

 

[grahambo357]

Looks more like a ram rod in my opinion. Non sparking so it isn't a projectile itself but generally they'd be wood on at least the handle section. Also looks quite old, at the least having been heavily rusted and restored.

Also try adding pics in editing. They don't like posting on my phone either on posts but edits usually work.

I will try that for the pictures. Thank you.

 

[slowtwitch73]

Prob something that isn't supposed to spark....

 

[RTM]

the fact that the end is exposed iron. I feel like if they were using a tool like this to prevent spark it would have complete coverage.

Maybe it's worn off just like the wooden handle that was mentioned above

 

[Beerhippie]

Tamping bar for shooting drilled holes.

As for sparking, ask Phineas Gage.

Phineas Gage - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org