Antique Scratch Awl Handle Leather Cap End
This is a very nice, turn of the century awl handle, featuring the steel collet type chuck, so the steel tip is removable, and other tips can be used as well. Most of the time the tips used in these old awls have a squared end that fits into the chuck jaws. This is the most stable way to hold the tip with this type of chuck, but round shank tips can also be inserted and held. These tool handle often came with tiny wrenches that would fit on the threaded sleeve of the chuck, we don't have the wrench, and find a small adjustable wrench works just fine. The wood appears to be ash or some similar hardwood, and is solid with a nicely wrapped leather end. There were a number of makers of this type of tool, we don't know who made this one as it is not marked, and has an unusual flared end where the leather wrapping is located. We note that the handle is in very solid shape, with some minor ding noted on the end flared edge, nice smooth finish, and the chuck works just fine.
