Drift pin ?

[RedVise]

maybe it is !  That's what my dad would have called it.

But looks like it needs a handle on it, right ?

Or is it a blacksmith made tool ?

Or a blacksmith made tool, that needs a handle ??

Brian

[wvtools]

Are there any faint striations on the blade?  Could it be a worn out sharpening steel missing the handle?

[RedVise]

None at all. Guessing you would see at least a few remnants, but I don't. So..


Thanks    Brian

[oldgoaly]

a test or temporary one? used to make sure parts fit together then pulled and packed for shipping?

[bear_man]

First, I never learned to name the different parts of what I'm going to speculate. In New Mexico, "white" people called my guess "bull pizzles."  In sailing, they'd be "marlin spikes" (or all one word and for rope, not cable). I own three right now "just because" and I've never used them for their intended purpose: to separate the, say, three or however many, "strands" of wire rope or cable, for splicing together or ending a cut cable elegantly.  I've never seen one like yours and I'm not confident enough to guarantee my guess is right-on, but that's what came to mind the moment I saw it.  Oh, and none that I've seen had the "T handle," which could've kept the tool from going through the cable.  Mine have biggish "buttons" on the very end.

[Branson]

Don't think it's a fid (there's another name for you, bear_man).  The hole in the end makes me think this was meant to be withdrawn easily, perhaps used to line up holes for assembly.

[scottg]

  Drift pin would be correct, to me.
  Or just flange tool.
At least that is my guess.

  Lining up pipe flanges, to get the bolts started, is a scary nasty job.
  You have to push hard and then suddenly the pin flies in and will bite the crap out of your hand, if you aren't careful.
They do make spud wrenches with the long tapered rat tail for this job.
But this tool, with its "stop" would make it harder to get hurt.

  I am guessing somebody got tired of blood blisters and made this up.

Could have been for lining up building bolt or rivet holes, when putting up the steel skeleton of a building, just as well.
      yours Scott 

[international3414]

REMINDED ME OF THIS, i call it a knife blank,,,got at estate sale with a basement full of knife making parts.

[rusty]

After fishing for fid, fish for 'belaying pin' ....

[RedVise]

Thanks Guys !


Brian

[Chillylulu]

Smaller than a flange pin used for commercial flanges or for steel structures. Those taper up to1".  Smaller pipe flanges are 5/8", bigger common sizes are an inch or more.

This could he used to align smaller parts.

Chilly

[Branson]

REMINDED ME OF THIS, i call it a knife blank,,,got at estate sale with a basement full of knife making parts.

Could be a knife blank.  Could be a mold maker's tool.