Calling All Detectives

[dowdstools]

I recently picked this up at an estate sale. I even paid for it so I could bring it home and post it here to confront, confound, confuse, bewilder, befuddle, bemuse, and hopefully get an ID from, you folks. The metal part is nickel plated brass, or bronze, and while the photos don't give the full effect, it has beautiful dark rosewood handles. It measures 10 1/4 inches long closed (?), and spans 19 3/8 inches open. The hinged portion, which looks like the business end, is 2 1/8 inches long on the inside along each of the four sections. It has no maker's mark of any kind. While I don't know what it is, it is the nicest one I've seen. It is a well made, high quality piece.





Lynn

[Papaw]

That is the finest example of that tool that I have ever seen !!!
I've never seen any better made, and that is easy to say , since I have never seen one at all !!

[EVILDR235]

Rich mans nut cracker ?
EvilDr235

[momma]

It does look similar to a nutcracker. Maybe some type of press ~ would it take a lemon or similar?? ...momma

[bruce]

I think it's a garlic press. I agree, it is a dandy. Bruce

[dowdstools]

Momma, a lemon or lime press makes the most sense, because of its size.

Bruce, it would probably work as a garlic press, although I think it is a little too big to have been designed for that.

The thing that stumps me is the shape. Most lemon, or garlic, presses have a degree of contour to fit the item they are squeezing. They aren't this heavy duty, either. This thing weighs almost two pounds.

Lynn

[bruce]

I've seen one before somewhere. I think my mom either has or had one. I'll ask her when I see her tomorrow. You're right, a 2 lb. garlic press would be a bit excessive. Bruce

[momma]

Lynn, even when I suggested lemons/ fruit I thought the faces are a bit too straight & smooth. I even had a look for antique veterinary tools... OUCH
Hope someone can tell us......momma

[dowdstools]

Bruce, that would be great if you could ask your mom about it. I hope she had one and can tell us what it is.

Lynn

[dowdstools]

Momma, I didn't think about veterinary tools. I guess you didn't have any luck there.

I was thinking some kind of kitchen or household item, mainly because of where I found it. Where an item is found can sometimes be misleading, though. I once found an antique trephine, or trepanning saw ( a saw used by a surgeon to drill holes in a person's skull ) in a garage, in a box with a bunch of electrical sockets and switches. On several other occasions, I have found old surgical and dental instruments in home workshops.

Lynn