Hi all,

I recently picked this little item up because in the auction it stated that it was a lathe chisel. I also got it because it does look very old. Not wanting to discredit the guy when I don't know what the old lathe chisels looked like I took him at his word and got it anyway.

Do any of you recognize it enough to tell me what it's real purpose was?

It's old enough that the company that made it (CS Osborne & CO. Harrison NJ.) doesn't even make a similar tool anymore.

There are no distinguishable markings other than the company logo on the blade

Thanks for any help you can provide.

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Charles
nicholls61@att.net

 looks more like a chisel to clean out mortises with.    Could also be used in the "Tinning" trades, to smooth out molten metal, like solder in plumbing work. 

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'and may the road raise up to meet ye'

It looks like a dog leg or cranked neck chisel. They are used for parring shallow recesses such as hinge mortises or dados.

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Adam Welker
Red Car Construction and Fine Woodworking

I agree with most the posts here. Could be for cleaning out mortises and setting hinges. Could also be a hollowing chisel for making bowls and plates back in the day. If anyone can truly id this it would be interesting to know what the final answer is. At any rate nice find Adam, it is old and very interesting.

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Charles as Adam says it's a crank neck chisel for cleaning out mortises and grooves, it is in know way shape or form a lathe chisel. Way too short. And welcome back Adam!!!! Glad to see your smiley face around here again! I hope you keep coming back, we miss our hand tool aficionado.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Yep, just imagine if that chisel grabbed just lil tiny bit, bad things would happen without the leverage of the long handle inherent in lathe chisels.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker