What would this be ?

[Rick]

I think it's safe to say that whatever this is it has been cobbled together from disparate elements.

I can't remember seeing a curved fid (Dad did a lot of splicing) in my Old Man's ditty bag.

A hone; were they often made from wood?
Maybe it's some kind of home made burnishing tool?

The hilt looks like a hilt from an Argentine Criollo.

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Rick

... I think it's safe to say that whatever this is it has been cobbled together from disparate elements...

Possible .

Originally Posted by Rick

... Maybe it's some kind of home made burnishing tool?..

Less probable .

Originally Posted by Rick

... The hilt looks like a hilt from an Argentine Criollo.

With such a hunting scene; dogs chasing a deer ?


-

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Rick

...I can't remember seeing a curved fid (Dad did a lot of splicing) in my Old Man's ditty bag....

Isn't this a fid in the sailor's knife ?


.

[Rick]

I think the curve may be there more to protect the owner's hand while the knife is folded up. The fid is also handy for loosening a tight or corroded shackle when the folder lacks a shackle key.

[fernando]

Noted .

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Rick

I think it's safe to say that whatever this is it has been cobbled together from disparate elements. ...

Yes, it looks like a home-made tool of some sort, put together from bits and pieces. That would not be unusual for a sailor's item.

Could the wood be ebony? It certainly looks very dark in the pics.

How did you find this interesting piece Fernando?

[fernando]

Thank you Ian,
I appreciate your confirming Rick's assessment that this may be a put together device; you know, he is getting old and we never know if he is sure of his senses . (Crossing fingers ... hoping he comprehends my sense of humour ).
Well, the other day i met with my local fellow collector with intention to go to Braga city, to check on a cased pair of flintlock pistols that looked a bit suspicious. First thing the seller did was to show me this object in discussion and, as we both ignored what it was, he promptly offered it to me, saying that he was getting rid of the riddle, as he was transferring it to me.
Yes, it does look like ebony, "pau preto" (black wood) as we call it here.


.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by fernando

Thank you Ian,
I appreciate your confirming Rick's assessment that this may be a put together device; you know, he is getting old and we never know if he is sure of his senses . ...

I know, I know

Thanks for the interesting back story on this piece. A mystery indeed.

Ian.

[Kmaddock]

Hi
Could it be a "dibber"
a tool used in gardening? for potting plants
I attach a random picture from the net but if you google dibber you will find 100's of varieties

I taught I might as well throw this idea into the pot.
regards

Ken

[fernando]

All suggestions welcome, Ken .
Nice old example of a dibber you show us; however this, as all other styles of dibbers, is at least twice as long as my object.
Together with the curved spike and the hunting scene (repeating myself) i hardly see it as a planting device ... even for bonsai specimens .

[CutlassCollector]

Great puzzle!

Staying on the hunting theme - could it be something to do with preparing the carcass after the kill.
My experience is limited in these matters but perhaps a dull edge is handy for separating the flesh from the hide during skinning to avoid cutting through the skin.

Does the handle unscrew from the wood? Maybe there is something inside.

CC