Posted 5 years ago
JOHNHUGHEY
(1 item)
Many years ago I bought this from a metal detector enthusiast in Scotland. He believed it was a nail or spike, and as he had found Roman-era artifacts at this site, he reckoned that it might even be a crucifixion nail. However, it didn't make any sense to me because the intentionally narrowing neck seemed like an odd idea, if this were to be driven with a hammer... and I couldn't get past the fact that it rests in the hand like the finest fountain pen. So, it has been sitting as a mystery on my coffee table for the past decade or so.
A few nights ago, most of the puzzle was solved (thanks to an Oak Island episode), and now it all makes sense: I'm satisfied that it is a hand-forged, wrought iron, hand-point masonry chisel designed for detailed stone work in antiquity. I know what it is and I know (approximately) where it is from. Now, I need some help assigning an age range to it: Does anyone have any ideas?
I can't agree with your assumption that it is a chisel for stone work. I have no idea if you ever used one but the item shown wouldn't survive the constant pounding. It would break at the thinnest point right under the head. Also the tip wouldn't be pointed it would have a slight bevel to allow it to cut or dig in as it was struck. The length and shape would tend to make me think it was for a type of post and beam construction on barns or houses. Even modern log cabin nails are quite similar to this in design and range from 5 to 7 inches in length.
saw that episode of Oak Island and they stated their tool to be dated between 1400-1800. They explained this it was hardened steel and used with a wooden mallet for making fine chisel marks such as inscriptions on a stone's surface. Agree that this looks very similar to the one on Oak Island but a bit smaller.
Thanks so much for your input!
To fhrjr2: I agree with your thought s about hammer strikes bending or breaking the neck (which is why "nail" made me doubtful)... but in antiquity, stone masons and carvers used wooden mauls or mallets. Secondly, the tip of the tool IS tapered to a bevel, just as you suggested: I've replaced one of the full-length photos to show the tip. Note, there is an irregular material clumped near the tip which is very hard and translucent, like fossilized tree sap... so don't let that confuse your eye. Thanks again!
To TallCakes: Yes this is a smaller (5") device, and this piece has an intentionally large rose-head... both are differences from the chisel found at Oak Island. 1400 is very easy for me to imagine, but since this was found in close proximity to a small, bronze floral device (believed to be a Roman knee buckle), my curiosity has to ask if this thing might be older than 1400... (?) Thanks for your help!