I think M Eley might have cracked it!
I was going to reply to this thread this morning, but computer threw a fit.
And I Was going to say that it reminds me of a boathook, but shank is much too short.
Then, I thought maybe a boarding axe, as such items were weapons as well as tools.
Also wonderd vaguely about a fireman's axe...18thC or before....
But I think M Eley may have put all this idle conjecture to rest!
Richard.
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