French barrel gimlet

A French barrel gimlet or "Coup de Poing", 4" x 3", brass and buffalo horn breadloaf shaped handle, knopped shank, "Coup de poings" were used by wine merchants and custom officers to puncture the barrel in order to check the contents without needing to remove a bung; the small hole would then be quickly plugged with a cone shaped piece of wood which tip would be broken off & remain in the barrel, an attractive antique French barrel gimlet, stock #301181


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