Fantail Iron

Date1890-1950

Object number00053656

NameCaulking Iron

MediumSteel

DimensionsOverall: 172 x 47 x 3 mm, 307 g, 35 mm

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Bernard Lake

Terms

caulking irons

DescriptionA caulking iron is a chisel-like tool, usually about 6-7 inches long, mushroom-headed and their blades are mostly flared - a shape known as fantail. Their edges are sharp, blunt, or provided with grooves known as creases. They are driven by the means of a caulking mallet. The purpose of caulking tools is to force stranded oakum into the seams between the planks to make them watertight.