Well that certainly is the closest thing so far. I Googled >Antique Farrier Clinchers< but didn’t get the exact same thing. I do have these questions:
1. The catalog you referenced refers to them variously as horse clinchers, regular horse clinchers, draft horse clinchers, saddle horse clinchers, low nail clinchers etc etc. If you don’t mind my asking just what the h*ll do they clinch?
2. How and for what is it used?
3. All the ones shown have 2 opposing single jaws while “mine” has one single jaw opposing a split jaw. Why would that be?
4. Do you think “mine” is probably very old and perhaps a one off unit made by a village blacksmith?
Now to answer my own questions. I watched a couple horse clinching vids and:
1. Different size horses hoofs require different size clinchers.
2. It bends over the shoe nail nubs locking them in place and must take a purchase under the hoof/shoe and above the nail nub.
3. All clinchers I could see had relatively broad jaws presumably to decrease local pressure and make snagging the nail nub easier.
The split jaw here is because this tool is not a commercially made item but is homemade and this was a practicable way to make it.
4. Yes
Finally I do believe it is indeed a “horse” clincher and we have nailed it.
