I can offer no insight into what it is, but here is one that looks similar
made by Swan with a tanged handle.

http://www.edoii.com/auction/SwanGouge/img_5106.jpg
http://www.edoii.com/auction/SwanGouge/img_5107.jpg
http://www.edoii.com/auction/SwanGouge/img_5108.jpg

I assumed that it was a sash mortise gouge.  Mine is between 1/8 and 3/16
inches wide.

Ed O'

-----Original Message-----


At first glance it was a bog standard sash mortise socket chisel.
Missing the handle, of course.  But other than that it was in fine shape.
No hamfisted idiots had beaten on the socket, no pitting and it was
reasonably shiny and overall in great shape.

But the back of the chisel was hollowed out along its length.
And it is very well done, so well done in fact that we all think it was
manufactured this way.  By none other than P. S. & W.

Looks kinda ordinary right?
http://galootcentral.com/components/cpgalbums/userpics/10074/IMG_20170402_12
1015.jpg

Why is the back of the chisel hollow?
http://galootcentral.com/components/cpgalbums/userpics/10074/IMG_20170402_12
0945.jpg

So, what is this thing?
An incannel sash mortising gouge??
What would it be used for?

--
Darrell LaRue