Unknown Farm Tool

[GaryD]

Got this with a bunch of 100 year old horse and hay equipment.  About 38 inches total length, very sharp points.  Any ideas?  the old guys at the auction were stumped.

[HeelSpur]

I don't know but I'd hate to spear something with it, that would be one heck of a ride.

[GaryD]

I know! at first I thought it was a fish spear, but don't have fish that big in Iowa.

[amertrac]

A FIREPLACE TOOL? OR FOR PULLING CORD THROUGH A BALE OF HAY BEFORE TYERS

[strik9]

Used for stretching hides as they dried?

  (Just a guess on my part!)

And I am wrong, identified as a tool for testing haystacks for quality.
   (But the answer is posted in the shoe stretcher thread.)

[Branson]

More likely another hay thief.

[BruceS]

That's what is commonly called a  "BULL CATCHER"  !     You tie a good stout rope through the ring end and then shove the barb into the south end of a north bound steer and hang on for dear life. ;-)

[mikeswrenches]

I dummied up and posted this in the wrong place the first time.  Thanks heelspur!!

I think this is called a hay thief.  Used to sample the inside of a haystack.

Fortunately the Davistown Museum had a picture of one.

http://www.mainememory.net/artifact/16803/



Mike

[GaryD]

Thanks for the responses, I think we have it solved and a little (very little) humor along the way!