Interesting item I came across looking for something else.  Yes, I know what it is only because someone told me.  Not really a tool, but them some might consider it so.

Duck/goose/elephant bird call?

Clothesline clamp/tightener. Regards, Lou

Lou----you ruined it for everyone!!

Even then I'm not seeing it. How did it work?

As I remember, there are spring loaded balls inside that grip the line. To make it work, you pushed down on the plunger under the bail, thus relaxing the balls. The line was then fed up thru the balls and out the hole in the plunger. Releasing the plunger then allowed the balls to grip the line and hold it tight. Pulling on the line just made the balls grip harder.

Kind of like the old Chinese finger grip thing.

Mike

same principle as used on guy wires ?...phone co.,,,power company

Those were made by Stanley.  If you look in the recessed ring under the thing you pull, you will see the stamping.  It is hard to read because it is stamped lightly, goes around in a circle, and is recessed.

This one says S. Ginns Inc.