Hi Lew,
no idea as to origins.....but intriqued by the 'pommel' end ...certainly looks like something was fitted there. Does seem to be some sort of mallet.... perhaps for leather work. The missing piece .... possibly a small metal spike that was used as an awl ...
or maybe a small counter weight was fitted there(to balance the mallet) for intricate carving ......bit of a puzzle
Regards David