Weird "sword"

[RobT]

Ian,

Very interesting piece. I am leaning toward tool. The shape of two prongs would allow them to be used as nail pullers. If the blade were to be thrust forward so that the nail head would catch in the blade/prong notch of the prong nearest the tip, that would serve to raise the nail slightly. The small guard would keep the hand from sliding up the hilt on the thrust. Once the nail was raised (and bent forward slightly by the thrust) the prong/blade notch on the other side could be used to pry the nail out by using the tip as a fulcrum. Take a look at slate roof nail pullers from the 1700s.
Are you sure it is a letter “J”?. When I saw it, the first that came to my mind was a bale hook. What I find interesting about all of the lettering is that it appears to be raised. Is this just the photograph?

Sincerely,
RobT