Okay this is another find that was in my dad's tools. I don't know what to make of it. When I first found it I didn't even realize it was a very sharp ( surgical like ) "pig sticker" inside a metal sheath. I thought it was for something like knitting.

On the shaft it is stamped: BRIT-ZONE GERMANY

 

Was your dad a sailor?

 

It is an earwax cleaner that was issued by the Brits after the war to returning Wermacht soldiers. You see, no hygiene on the Eastern Front. Hard-caked earwax.
The photo of Roosevelt on the coin proves my case.
Glad to help you out with dad's garage. Come on back in, anytime.

 

I would guess a scribe.

 

Nope. Paratrooper / PTO

I think Jeffafa has it. A scribe. I need to give it a try tomorrow.

I'm guessing it was made in the British occupation zone after WWII?

 

Awl~~~~~~heck a hole making tool: ol skool stuff.
Orich

 

The reason I asked if he was a sailor is because Boatswains Mates use spikes to undo or tighten lines and cords. It could be a spike to undo knots in paracord (parachute cord).

.

 

Ice pick, pass the couvassier!

 

Awl... also know as Scratch awl used for marking (scribing) wood, leather. Ice pick has much smaller handle and shaft is usually smaller.



John

 

For putting a new hole in your belt when you've eaten too much strudel.

**Remove belt before using**

 

Love all the humor, and I agree with ORich, Ftrain, El Rey, and others... It is a n awl, or scratch awl, used for marking, or inscribing a line in metal, for cutting or decorative reasons. I also have one from the 60's, which I use for all sorts of reasons, although mine shows its age a bit. Definitely a useful tool in my shop...

Baja

 

That was my first guess. The fishermen in my town used to call them marlinspikes.

 

It's actually a killing device. Sneak up on enemy, cover mouth with your hand, insert behind ear or just behind skull at spine, insert until no movement, then remove. Ask me how I know!!
Or it could just be a scribe.

 

"intaglio" as in printmaking from metal plates.

 

Interesting. Are you an artist?

I've done some printmaking - etching, drypoint, mezzotint and lithography - but the drypoint stylus I used was more slender.