Any ideas what this tool is?

[longers]

This one.

Not sure where he got it from but a friend cleaned it up, lacquered it and gave it me thinking it could be used as a dibber for gardening.

We don't think that's what it was originally meant for and would like to find out please.

It's 32" long, made of a ferrous metal and weighs 2kg.

Any ideas?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

A fire poker?

 

[HLaB]

My guess would be its for making a hole on the ground so you can insert your crops.

 

[Archie_tect]

If it was a dibber, I'd've expected it to have a squared flange or a bracket off the base of the handle to press it into hard soil with your foot and it's tapered and not long enough to be a wadding tamper for a cannon...

 

[longers]

One thought I had was that it was for dragging along behind you to make a row for dropping your seeds into. Still a guess though.

 

[Globalti]

It's a Montenegran Stroponec arrow; it was used in ritual killings up to the 1850s. The blindfolded thrower would spin around in a circle of virgins selected from nearby villages and release it, whoever it hit was then sacrificially killed if they weren't killed outright by the impact. How did he find it? They fetch a lot in antique shops in Belgrade as they are highly prized as folklore items.

 

[Archie_tect]

The blindfolded thrower would spin around in a circle of virgins selected from nearby villages...

Wouldn't have turned up in a junk shop in Essex then,...

 

[accountantpete]

I reckon it's a rectal branding iron.

It would however be very good for making holes for leek seedlings.

 

[Archie_tect]

That seals it.

 

[Night Train]

It's not a push, or breast, plough is it?
Can't see the proper shape of the pointy end.

 

[XmisterIS]

It's a rectal probe. You just insert the blunt end, twist the handle to switch it on, and begin communicating with the Mothership.

 

[LosingFocus]

Knobkerry?

 

[Archie_tect]

Knobkerry?

How dare you sir!

 

[Davidc]

Can you post a close up of the business end?

 

[Archie_tect]

One for longers.... unless someone wants a laugh!