looks like it maybe? or is that the way it is made?

It looks like most of a cast iron file handle.  It is missing the 'hoop' hickey that was used to hold the end of the file to the flat on the handle. The hoop had a thumbscrew on it to tighten everything together.

Mike

 Yep the good news is its not broken; the bad news its missing the parts Mike mentioned

That looks so much better working than a wooden handle.

Thanks guys!
hmmm this came in a junk box from a local auction so finding the original is unlikely. If I have one file I have a 100.
no iron file holders! Who knows I may have the imssing part, just have no idea where it might be but in the junk drawers, cans, jars never throw something good away! No won't be on hoarders <grin> We do scrap some stuff out. filled a 40' trailer on year. old roof off the barn and bunch of other stuff!

Quote from: Lostmind on October 20, 2015, 03:43:33 PM
That looks so much better working than a wooden handle.

It's not much different, actually, but around a forge it's pretty convenient.

I've picked up a couple of these handles, and am finding them really convenient.  My file storage drawer lacks enough room for all the files to have handles, and these are quick to put on and hold firmly.  And, of course, they're really nifty.

I use file cabinets for file storage! 5 drawers of the lower cabinet, and most of the smaller drawers on the top cabinets.
I have a die filer so there are quite a few of them, add in the riffler files, diamond grit files. It's working well!

If you look closely at the picture of the good one, I think the one originally posted is broken as well as missing the collar.  If it had the collar, the part that it clamps to is missing.

Quote from: oldgoaly on October 27, 2015, 11:21:56 AM
I use file cabinets for file storage! 5 drawers of the lower cabinet, and most of the smaller drawers on the top cabinets.
I have a die filer so there are quite a few of them, add in the riffler files, diamond grit files. It's working well!

Haha, what do they look like in there? How do you keep them organized? I have about 100+ files, and I haven't figured out an efficient way to organize them...

there is paper or a plastic liner in each drawer, and I try not to overload each drawer.
if I say a hundred it's probably closer to 200. no I haven't counted them. plus there are  some where they are easy to find, plus there are a bunch of lead files too.  Old worn out abused ones are good for making into other usefull thing once fired in the old coal forge.