VERY LARGE. Antique FID, Nautical, Maritime,for sailing ship - $60 (baton rouge)

possibly from Civil War or earlier wooden ship , a particularly long, tapered, turned piece of oak used in splicing or undoing strands of rope in the heavy lines used on the old wooden ships.
The small end was put in between the strands and gradually worked until the wider part loosened them sufficiently for finger work.
This could easily be earlier than Civil War, as these were also used well before, on both US naval vessels and whaling ships, as early as 1820-1840.
ANY SHIP WITH SAILS.
This one is very large, about 17 1/2" long and about 2" diameter at the top.
This size would have been used for some of the larger ropes and lines and sails.
Made of oak for durability.
Shows a lot of use and it has a nice dark aged patina and feel and look to it.
In very good condition hole in it is hand drilled and offset.