What's this for?

One of my students brought this in to class this morning. Any idea what this extra-long thing is for? Width is 1-3/8. Overall lenght is 28". CB.

looks like a framing chisel that was taken to the rack.
does it have a ring on the end of the handle for striking?

No Ring. In fact the end of the handle is round and fat, so not meant for striking at all.

Maybe it hasn't been sharpened much.

I would use it for long mortices, through deep timber, on the end grain, I guess.

The blade looks to be 18"?

Tim

That's even bigger than my ridiculous-sized chisel I have. I've heard that there were extra long chisels made for working huge mill timbers.