You are bidding on a vintage
antique Slate Ripper, a/k/a Slater's Ripper, which was used to pull the nails
holding slate shingles to roofs without damaging the material. The total
length of the tool is over 29", as the blade is 24" and the
handle is close to 6". The blade is 1½" wide, and more than 2"
at the sort-of arrowhead-shaped tip. The tool is 100% steel construction and is
in good condition, with some surface corrosion from many decades in storage.
But it still appears to be completely serviceable, if you want to rip the slate
shingles off of anything.
There is a partially obscured maker's mark engraved on the blade, but it reads 'PEXTO' in an oval, and 'MADE IN USA' beneath (see pics). 'PEXTO' was the mark for Peck, Stow & Wilcox. According to Chat GPT, it:
was an American manufacturer of metalworking and woodworking hand tools based in Southington, Connecticut. Founded in the 19th century, the company became one of the leading toolmakers in the United States, particularly known for sheet-metal forming equipment and high-quality hand tools.
Founded: 1870 (roots trace to 1820s firms)