Hoof Pick or Tow Hook

[The Egyptian Homeguard]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=160644184905

Okay, I know that the reproductions of these are sold as hoof picks, but are they actually tow hooks??? Just curious. Thanks, Z

[J.H.Berger]

Re: Hoof Pick or Tow Hook

MMh, good question, I have an original that is marked C. S. Osborne and Co.
Osborne has amde and is still making leatherworking tools.

[Paul L Muller]

Re: Hoof Pick or Tow Hook

I have seen them as federal hoof pick. I have never heard of a tow hook, but that means nothing. plm

[CompanyWag]

Re: Hoof Pick or Tow Hook

FWIW, my understanding is that the tow hooks that were supplied to the artillery were made from a solid iron rod about 15 inches in length with a hammer head on one end and a hook on the other and not a small folding tool as shown in the auction.

Paul McKee

[j napier]

Re: Hoof Pick or Tow Hook

Zack,

I just looked at the item on e bay. It appears to be a folding hoof pick similar to a reproduction I have made by Doug Kidd. As Paul stated above, the Tow hook was issued to the artillery, an instrument about 15 inches in length with a small hammer at one end, and a large pick at the opposite end. The specimen my battery uses doesn't fold . The use was to remove "Tow", the straw packing material that was encasing the artillery shells in the crates shipped from the arsenal.

Hope that helps.

Jim napier