Two Prong Fish Spear Head Hand Forged Iron Antique Barbed Socket Gig

This two prong fish spear head is hand forged iron, likely dating to the 19th to early 20th century, with a tapered hollow socket and inward facing barbs.

The head is solid, with sharp points still present and a rough brown black surface showing rust and pitting.

Fish gigs of this form were used for fishing, including eels and flounder, and this small head offers a close look at the barbed construction of older fishing tools.

Details

• Item: One fish spear or gig head only, no pole included
• Item Type: Two prong socketed fishing spear head
• Era: Likely 19th to early 20th century
• Materials: Hand forged iron
• Color: Dark brown black with brown oxidation
• Maker and Mark: Maker and mark: Not confirmed from photos.
• Pattern or Model: Not confirmed from photos.
• Style: Primitive fishing tool
• Dimensions: Approximately 6 1/4 inches from the tips of the tines to the base. Socket where it fits a pole is about 1 inch round. Tines are about 2 inches wide.
• Special Features: Two prongs in a U shaped form, one long inward facing barb near each sharp tip, and a tapered hollow socket with a round securing hole
• Product Weight: 3 oz.

Condition Grade: Good

Positives

• Graded Good: The iron head is solid, with both pointed tines and their inward facing barbs present.
• The hollow socket and its round securing hole remain visible at the base of the head.
• The two prongs retain their open U shaped outline above the tapered socket.

Issues / Wear

• Surface rust, oxidation and pitting are visible across the rough brown black iron.
• Some light fibrous residue is visible inside the empty socket; its material is Not confirmed from photos.
• No pole or handle is included.

Find more like this in our Vintage Collectibles collection.

If you collect antique iron fishing tools, the two barbed prongs and open socket give you construction details to study in a tackle display. If it's the one you've been looking for, it's ready to come home.