Here are some of the chisels/ turning and bench  that I got in NY

I am curious about What looks to be a gouge. It's the seventh from the left an short compared to the others.

I always see gouges but there ususally longer. Was it just sharpened to death or is it something else or I am just going crazy?

Probably just going crazy.

I wondered the same thing, the general view around here is that is was sharpened to death.
cheers
bird

I have seen similar - used and ground to death..... Turning chisels are often sharpened on a grindstone, rather than an oilstone, so wear down far faster...

A lot of my chisels are unmarked, but seem to be high quality chisels. If they are unmarked, does that mean they are of lesser quality? ....or did a lot of good chisels just not have markings on them?

The only way to know the quality of an unmarked tool is to use it. Compare the quality of the edge, the ease in creating that edge, and how long that edge lasts vs quality tools you are already familiar with.

I have a few unmarked lathe tools I wouldn't trade for a Patience & Nicholson.

You won the lathe tool lottery there !!!!

Yes, I suppose I did! I've had lots of fun with my truck and trailer load of tools! Most are sold now, can you folks believe it? Mom asked, "what will you do with the money you made?" Dad looked at me and smiled. "Buy more tools!"
Dad replied,"That's my girl."  Although, I must admit, since I'm running low on tools, dad's been watching this bird like a hawk when I go into his shop and makes me empty my pockets before I leave :)

Short one is a hogging gouge, often used to bring a square blank round in the initial phase of turning.  2 best reasons I know are it keeps people from getting stupid and reaching too far past the tool rest, and the short blade isn't long enough to have harmonics in it.