Tool ID

[Mark Fairchild]

A friend of mine whose great grandfather was a column production turner has this tool of his hand engraved with shield, an eagle and his name with the date 1891. Any ideas what it was.

 

[Tim Mortimer]

Interesting, I have several old flat bladed screwdrivers that look very similar! I would be surprised if it's a turning tool but hey, what do I know!

 

[Brent@TurnRobust]

Looks like an old fashioned screw driver that someone ground to use as a chisel. Normally they start beating on the handle when they do that. Looks like yours missed that dubious fate (so far anyway)

 

[Mark Fairchild]

Looks like an old fashioned screw driver that someone ground to use as a chisel. Normally they start beating on the handle when they do that. Looks like yours missed that dubious fate (so far anyway)

Brent, that was my first impression. What gave me pause were the hatch marks outside the shield. Looked like the tool was ground from an old file.

 

[Mark Fairchild]

Interesting, I have several old flat bladed screwdrivers that look very similar! I would be surprised if it's a turning tool but hey, what do I know!

Tim, that s what I thought but the fellow said it was with his old turning tools. You probably know as much or more than me on tools made in 1891!