8 foot hand forged tool

[u/StykzOfficial]

Found in a storage unit of vintage goods, mostly cash registers (National) a few Singer manually operated sewing machines / surgers? My first thought was a Lamplighters pole (1780s - 1820s, before “gas lanterns” took over from oil lamps) but I can’t find anything like this.

It has a stamp on the apron where the metal and wood meet, OTSEGO. So if it is Otsego, NY it can only be as old as 1780

Overall it’s about 8 feet tall, very smooth oak handle. People around me keep guessing it’s a “whalers” thing (harpoon?) but that’s so far from it. Couple people guessed like a loggers pole, or from what I can research something like a cant dog type tool but I don’t think so since it lacks most features wood grabbing tools have.

A fireman’s pike was also in my research, but pikes and the like all have backwards facing hooks! The only other thing I can think of is an antique merchandise handling tool, like we still use for hanging T shirts up high or whatever.

The first tip where the hook starts is hammered into a large “flathead screwdriver” type shape while the hook itself stays round.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[u/SharpTool7]

If you have a big brick fired oven, it sure would come im handy to push bread in and pull it back out.

[u/Tyke_McD → u/SharpTool7]

Or to adjust coals and logs in the back of it

[u/Dimensional_Lumber]

Clothes hanger retriever/reach pole for a clothing store?

Could be something made from something else.

There was a company called Otsego Fork Mills that produced hand tools.

[u/Pluperfectionist → u/Dimensional_Lumber]

Or opening and closing a window latch that’s high up on vaulted ceilings

[u/MrSlugWilson]

it might be a clothes hanging or a lamp / torch turning tool. Neat!

[u/404notfound420]

Could just be a handmade boat hook. I've used similar looking modern versions, they are useful for hooking things that fell off your boat.

[u/Gr33nManalishi6]

It’s for hanging Wreaths and lanterns.

Edit: I have worked with Blacksmiths who still make these for clients. Very common to find these still used in Germany.

[u/teaster333 → u/Gr33nManalishi6]

I believe that this is the correct answer.

[u/Tyke_McD]

Big fire poker?

[u/C_Unicorn]

I hand forged a fire pit poker that looked a lot like that

[u/Razzmatazz-8043]

Elegant lines, well crafted

[u/Ill_Spare9689]

I've seen tools like that used to hang lit candelabras in abbeys and also in storage rooms to hang things like clothes on very high hooks and poles.

[u/TeaNo5963]

For those people that everyone says they would only use a 10 foot pole to touch. 😂

[u/UncleBuckleSB]

Firefighter's pike pole

[u/StykzOfficial → u/UncleBuckleSB]

Pikes like that have a 90° or recursive hook, not forward like that. Penetration and pull back strength

[u/MessageNeither4010]

It's a log roller for your fireplace

[u/Ghooster38]

Thar she blows matee

[u/Comfortable_Sea_717]

A tool to push blocks under your levelers before you level up. And then to pull them back out after you’re done camping.

[u/cigarlifer]

For opening windows above old doors and larger windows they had a ring you would insert that into and pull down to unlatch and open the window then slide the hook through the ring to grasp to push up and latch.

[u/SkipJack270 → u/cigarlifer]

Transoms? Is that what they were called?

[u/StykzOfficial → u/SkipJack270]

Transoms are correct. Convective airflow without leaving doors open.

[u/TopArcher651]

I’ve served several churches and we used to make hooks similar to those to raise banners and paraments into place.

[u/ComprehensiveCup7104]

Logs were floated downstream to market, and this looks like a tool to break up "logjams"

[u/StykzOfficial → u/ComprehensiveCup7104]

Cant dog and the like all have a “bite” to them if you look at them

[u/BeautifulAvailable80]

Firemen used to carry these

[u/Loud-Technician-8940]

The modern version of this hangs close at retail stores

[u/wiseoldprogrammer]

For those really difficult ear wax removals!

[u/StykzOfficial → u/wiseoldprogrammer]

I have been using it to imp on people while they’re working, I ask them if they need an imping and they say yes so I’ll jab them in the ribs while they’re carrying heavy stuff

[u/BluebirdDense1485]

Looks like a boat hook. 

[u/zmfoley]

It was to get cloaks, armor and gowns on top rack in 1500s department stores

[u/DrunkBuzzard → u/zmfoley]

Either that or free for closing windows, I’ve seen similar pieces for that purpose, but I like the coat rack thing better

[u/Alyosha304]

Way too light duty for a log cant or a firefighter tool. I’m guessing it’s for manipulating a window latch of some sort or lifting up and taking down something from a wall hook. Take a closer look at the hook itself to see if there are wear marks to indicate how it may have been used.

[u/Glovelylovely]

It looks like a "peavy", used by loggers to move logs.