Opinions on 1870's Era Bat

[BrockJacob]

I just got my hands on this gigantic 19th century bat and am looking for some opinions on what it was possibly used for. It measures almost 46" long and is heavy as hell. You can see the remnants of red, white, and blue stripes on the barrel and has a "WPA" stamped as well. And it definitely appears to of had some sort of cap at the top of the barrel. Perhaphs a trophy bat or display piece of some sort? Maybe someone actually used it? I know in the 1860s and 70's guys were using some long bats but this size seems a little extreme. What do you guys think?
Its pictured next to a modern 34" bat to give you an idea of the size.

[MGHPro]

It could of been a farm tool. A lot of early farm tools resemble a bat. The area that looks like there was a cap could of been where the iron part of a tool was attached.
Matt

[D. Broughman]

Looks like a shovel handle from the WPA days. WPA was a work detail during the GREAT DEPRESSION were people could earn wages for food and clothing by cuting brush or digging ditches along roads. Here are some photos of a 1870 railroad tool bat that is 32" long.

[slidekellyslide]

Interesting...it does appear as though someone has taken a shovel from the Works Progress Administration and tried to make it look like a ring bat. Weird, but cool.

[Jim VB]

Almost looks too thick to be a shovel handle. Looks more like a wheelbarrow handle.

[D. Broughman]

The flat shovel handles back then were thicker. D.