What is this please

[SeverumSolus]

This was found in a hidden room of an old house in Sellersville, PA along with some clock parts, glass medicine bottles and some old torn advertisements for pharmaceutical items. The handle seems to have been carved. Some think it's an old rake but I like to think it's more than that.




Jeff

[mart]

Looks like a home made hay fork !! For tossing loose hay into a pen or from a horse drawn trailor for feeding livestock in the pasture!! Would work very well for that !! The tines being in that shape would hold more than the metal forks !! looks like a tree branch that naturally grew that way and they just took advantage of the shape !!  I wouldn`t mind having one like that !! Although our hay in in 1000 lb round bales now !!

[wilhenri]

I agree Mart we had these hanging in the barn on the farm where I worked in my younger days

[SeverumSolus]

Thank You very much for the clarification. Much appreciated.

jeff

[mart]

Its a neat find !! Most of the old home made tools are long gone now !! Farmers many times just invented what they needed !!

[cogar]

Some added trivia.

The following picture is of a “curved” tine Hay Fork that was made by my late and great “collectible” dealer friend, Dick Martin, who presented it to us when we had our Antique Shop open …. with the “conditional” instructions that it would be hung on the wall and never be sold.

Even though the Shop is now long gone, the Fork is still hanging on the basement wall. (Except for the short time an hour or so ago the wife took to stand it up and take the following picture.)

[mart]

I would love to find an old one like that !!  Or any old wooden one !!