xenith: (Default)
[personal profile] xenith
10 points for this one. Double if you can find a picture of something similar online.







A bit bigger than my hand. Front has remains of a more ornate (gold?) surface. There are two patent dates, from 1865 & 1871 or 2. Probably American. Possibly a patent or salesman's sample.

On the back is a lever/metal arm and two small plates with metal 'teeth' between them. The point of the bottom 'plate' might be to remove the whatever from the spikes.

When you turn the round handle at the front, the two plates go down, squeeze together, and possibly push something onto the base part, which has slots in it and a chute bit on the side. Then the metal arm swings down, under the plates, possibly removing something.

Date: 2006-07-28 12:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] the-aspie-zoo.livejournal.com
My guess would be some part of an early automated spindle? Or something else to do with textiles. Or a very tiny ancient washing "wringer" :)

The links here are broken, btw. The ones from your site work fine. Interesting gadget, whatever it is.

Date: 2006-07-28 12:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] monissaw.livejournal.com
I forgot to change them when I copied them over :\

Hadn't considered laundry. It could be a salesman's model.

Most likely it's a kitchen appliance, but...

Whatsit?

Date: 2006-07-29 05:13 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadeaucat.livejournal.com
My best guess would be some type of hand cranked hard nut cracker - like for walnuts.

Re: Whatsit?

Date: 2006-07-29 05:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadeaucat.livejournal.com
Or (thought of this after I saw the deep ribs on the smasher side) maybe a shellfish cracker - like for oysters

Date: 2007-08-01 03:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] zzinnia.livejournal.com
i agree. i think it's a spindle winder. maybe for yard, since the teeth are so big.

Date: 2007-08-01 03:22 am (UTC)

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