Has anyone ever used one of these?

[Little squeak]

Cleaning out the shed today, found these, has anyone ever used one if so what for? My best guess is that they may have been used in some way to thatch hay stacks. the longest is 11 inches the shortest is 9 inches long.

 

[jpd]

backscratcher

 

[Gong Farmer]

Gate latches? Though the end of the larger one looks like it should be inserted into brickwork.

 

[Dry Rot]

I agree. Needles for stitching thatching, though Google images doesn't come up with anything much similar. Every farm must have have had them, so once very common.

After thatching a stack, some idiots would stick the needle into the side of the stack out of the way. Hence the phrase, "Like looking for a needle in a hay stack". Nothing to do with sewing needles!

 

[CPF]

They are thatching needles
Not used for thatching ricks
They are used for thatching on a normal roof with rafters and batons

You lay the thatching material down then you use the needle to push a rope down around the baton and then use the other one to retrieve it.
down then over and down then over the material like you are sewing it to the roof .