What is this thing?

[David Super]

Several years ago I attended an auction where I was swept up in the spirit of bidding (I think I really wanted an axe) and ended up buying the axe along with several other toolshed misfits. The gadget in this post is hardly a woodworking tool - at least I think not - but I'm stumped as to its original purpose or name.

Some guesses from neighbors:

Clam digger

Spade for cutting long billets of peat from a bog

Spade for cutting billets of clay

Perhaps a wise and worldly Sawmill Creeker will have a solid answer. Thanks for looking. I remain mystified.

273332273333273334

[Judson Green]

Sod farming tool. Peat spade might be right on.

http://www.antiquefarmtools.info/page10.htm

[James Conrad]

I think it's a clay spade, I've seen similar spades used for clay. Certainly not a clamming tool that I've ever seen.

[Ryan Mooney]

My first guess was a variant of a potato spade; the tines look way to wide for potatoes so was thinking maybe turnips (there are open ended forks about like that that were used for turnips).. The idea being that the dirt falls through and you can pitch the goods into the wagon.

But then I saw James post and am leaning strongly in his direction. Took me a few minutes to see the advantage (been off the shovel to long I suppose) but on thinking about it its pretty obvious to anyone who's ever picked up a shovel full of clay and had t stick to the shovel so bad you couldn't shake it off.

[Hilton Ralphs]

I wonder what that lever is for?

[Jim Koepke]

I wonder what that lever is for?

That looks like it may have been added on. Maybe by someone with thin soled shoes.

jtk

[Brian Myers]

Open tiling spade http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/primitive-antique-tool-open-tiling-spade-farm.
PDF with pic of various types on page 13 http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&cad=rja&ved=0CGQQFjAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Forganicroots.nal.usda.gov%2Fdownl oad%2FORC00000142%2FPDF&ei=J3hjUoWsF_al4AOC5YHoCg&usg=AFQjCNEBvwmQY5q1vQcEpFkGnn_MgVkJIw&sig2=etxtJswUeqossFusLBItBg&bvm=bv.54934254,d.dmg
Cool find and looks like that little step belongs on there.

[don wilwol]

I would guess the lever is for your foot. And add on to make pushing it into the ground a little less uncomfortable.

[phil harold]

Tile spade

[David Super]

My thanks to everyone for your responses, with special appreciation for Brian Myers and his comprehensive answer and links. I don't believe I'll need to drain any farm fields in the near future, but now that I know the name and original purpose of this implement, I'm ready.

Wisdom is power; thanks for adding to my tiny reservoir of smarts.

[C Scott McDonald]

original prototype spork?

[Lon Crosby]

Tile drain lines are everywhere, around foundations, etc. There are still used in the Midwest (the part covered by the last glacial events) where they excel in cutting through glacial till with its high clay content. Probably made by the Osmundson Forge in Webster City, IA. The lever makes the step wider for better force and slippage in muddy conditions.