RH said:
"518. This implement was marked "Reaming Iron", which are usually
shaped more
like a blunt chisel and are used to open the seams between two planks
of a
ship when applying caulking material. Maybe this one was used to tamp
the
caulking."

RH:
I agree that this does not seem to be a reaming iron, so I took the
liberty of contacting the Curator and Library Director at the Maine
Maritime Museum, where they specialize in shipbuilding and all things
concerning wooden frame sailboats from the 'tall ships' era. Here is
his reply:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Buck -

You were right to question the identification of the tool. It is not a
reaming iron, nor any other tool used in the caulking process. It is
not any
kind of shipbuilding tool that I know of, for building wooden vessel,
anyway.

A reaming iron is sharp-bladed, for inserting in the seam between two
planks
and wedging them apart a little bit, to admit the caulking material.
The
tool on the website appeared to be nearly an inch thick - a ship with
an
inch between planks won't float very long. A reaming iron also has a
short,
solid steel shank or handle, designed to be struck with a mallet. It
does
not have a socket for a wooden handle.

Off the top of my head, I do not know what this tool is. We will see if
we
can find out.

Sincerely,
Nathan R. Lipfert, Curator & Library Director
Maine Maritime Museum
243 Washington Street
Bath Maine 04530
USA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So it appears that your instincts are correct, and whatever source
claimed it was a Reaming Iron was wrong. I doubt that there is a more
qualified expert resource than MMM. Hopefully, Mr Lipfert will find out
what it really is. Or at least, become a dedicated follower of your
"What is it?" website.

--riverman