What is it?

[oldtools]

found this in old tool box,
4" long, 1" wide legs (Omega shape), leather covered handle with a loop on end to legs.
what is it used for? how? why?

ooh, just noticed it has a spring steel tang on the side, maybe to hold back thick thread like a tensioner?

[Branson]

You know the little Green Guy that sometimes shows up in photos?  This is one of his relatives.

[strik9]

It kind of looks like something to help get your cowboy boots off.
  Slide the heel into the U part and step on the loop part, lift foot out of the boot.

 A severe case of WAGging her but I've seen something like that before.

[oldtools]

For mini boots?, 4" X 1", fit in your hand.
but I see if it was larger it could be...

Just thought of a use for this tool.. holding the handle, with index finger agance the loop (as a stopper)
it has a good solid grip to pull over a seam or edge to round it off, like leather work?
 ~3/8"Dia. inside the legs is rounded in direction of the pull.
But just guessing...

[anglesmith]

This one is very intriging, how is the side arm attached? The top end seems to be solid with tang (handle),  but I can't see how the lower end is connected. I think it is very old, possilby early 1800s? and looks to be purpose made, not just a lashup. I  can't discern the spring, is it possible to have a couple of close up photo's.  I keep thinking kitchen /fire place /hearth!? maybe because the feet look like a minature fire dog! As I said very very intriging.
If we can't discover what it is here you should put it on the Whats it blog. http://55tools.blogspot.com.au/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=11
Graeme

[oldtools]

Thank you, will check the blog out..

[Rob H.]

I think that this tool is a cock fighting spur, a weapon to be tied to a battle cock's leg.  Below is a photo that I shot of some spurs, their shape is very similar.

 
 
 
I think we need to see the item without the leather sheath, can you post a photo without the leather cover?  This style of spur is called a long knife, the blades come in many different styles, if you do a search on cock fighting long knife you will see some examples.  The metal part on the leather sheath looks like a clip for clipping it to your pocket, belt, etc.

[anglesmith]

Rob H. Good work I think your on to it, in fact afer googling I'm sure you are right. I was puzzled at the "leather handle" but now it seems that it's a cover!
We will just have to wait for Oldtools to remove the cover!
Graeme

[Branson]

I think that this tool is a cock fighting spur, a weapon to be tied to a battle cock's leg.  Below is a photo that I shot of some spurs, their shape is very similar.

That's one heck of a first post!  I can't see it being anything else now. 

[oldtools]

I think that this tool is a cock fighting spur, a weapon to be tied to a battle cock's leg.  Below is a photo that I shot of some spurs, their shape is very similar.

That's one heck of a first post!  I can't see it being anything else now.

Amazing! You guys got it!
I never considered pulling the leather handle off.
it was stuck, rusted to the blade, but with a little jigling, it came off,
cleaned it up, it is very sharp, could kill something with it!!!
the leather sheath could be clipped to a pocket like a pen clip. or could be used for sparring practice.

[lbgradwell]

Well done Rob!

[johnsironsanctuary]

Unbelievable!  Wouldn't it be fun to read the patent for that one.  Thanks Rob and welcome to Tooltalk.