According to Wood Butcher :
"R.H." wrote in message
. ..

[ ... ]

It looks like it could be used for either purpose, but I'm leaning towards
ice auger mostly because of the angle of the blades, the fact that there are
two of them, and it seems to me that it would would work well for shaving
ice.

The shaft doesn't appear robust enough to transmit the torque
required for an ice auger. I'm inclined to agree with the earth
auger hypothesis.

And the ring at the top does not look either strong enough, or
shaped properly to allow use as an anchor. It is too sharp-edged to not
cut through the rope attached to it.

I believe that shape is correct for a wooden T-handle fitted
through it to allow two people to march around the hole which is being
drilled.

Enjoy,
DoN.

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