Mystery Giant Wedge Item!

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Hi All;

This came in this weeks tool haul from a shed clearance guy who dropped some stuff off to me.

A really massive hardwood wedge with a turned handle:

I have no idea what this might have been for?

One possible suggestion has been something to do with large beer barrels?

HELP!

Cheers, Martin

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

1, Door wedge

2, Bashing cheese into shape

3, Try Google image search

Ian P

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

Hello Martin, IF that's a door wedge then things will be draughty ! Beer barrels um ? could be for settling the staves before fitting the hoops. Noel.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Butter patter.

[GeorgineerParticipant @georgineer]

Gun carriage quoin? (I think I've rememberd the name right.)

George

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

This thing is very heavy; holding it up for patting butter would wear you out really quickly!

All the planes on this are flat, no hint of curvature needed for barrels?

Martin

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Posted by not done it yet on 27/07/2023 16:07:33:

Butter patter.

To weighty me thinks.

[BizibilderParticipant @bizibilder]

Second for gun quoin – used to raise and lower the elevation of the barrel. For its size and the taper on the sides quite possibly from a ships canon? Try googling "gun quoin".

Edited By Bizibilder on 27/07/2023 16:19:27

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Nothing on Google images..

Martin

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

I once saw 'ye olde boat building kit' (comprised of a log and an axe).

Maybe this is a part machined kit for scoop

Ian P

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Posted by Bizibilder on 27/07/2023 16:18:32:

Second for gun quoin – used to raise and lower the elevation of the barrel. For its size and the taper on the sides quite possibly from a ships canon? Try googling "gun quoin".

Edited By Bizibilder on 27/07/2023 16:19:27

Agreed

Butter patters are much lighter and ridged.

 

HERE

Edited By Dave Halford on 27/07/2023 16:32:43

[John PurdyParticipant @johnpurdy78347]

I also think it is a Quoin. Goes between the breech of the barrel and the carriage above the rear axle to adjust the elevation of the barrel, hence range of the shot. Look for pictures of 18th century ships cannons. (Try HMS Victory ).

John

Edited By John Purdy on 27/07/2023 18:00:14

[John PurdyParticipant @johnpurdy78347]

Like this. but perhaps for a smaller gun.

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Maybe made for a model (large ! cannon?

Thank to all for the opinions.

Martin

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

As it doesn't look old enough to be an original and yet it is separated from its cannon I wonder if it was made for a film or theatrical prop, probably with a wooden barrel, and hence not valued sufficiently to keep safe.

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