Fishing Tool

This tool was used to pull tools out of a well that got stuck. It would just fit over the tool in the bottom of the well. When it was pulled up the flapper would close snagging the fallen tool so that it could be retrieved. Rope would be attached to the eyelet at the top. This tool was hand forged out of iron and made by a blacksmith. It is suspected that this is a fishing tool that would have been used in both water wells and oil wells. This tool dates back the mid or late 1800s.