... in Auburn NY near where I work.  It's got to be at least 3 feet tall just to the cross bar.  What would this be used for?  The metal jaws have a bent in grabber lip at the bottom - I managed to cut off the bottom of one leg in the photo.

And a wood screw?  I have no idea, but it'll be fun to watch this one.  Betcha someone knows.

To give relief to a constipated elephant? 

I have one of those. It's part of a fruit press. There is a few pieces missing. Mine was made in Middleport , N.Y.  A few folks said it was for installing barrel rings , but someone put up the patent and picture.

I believe it to be a barrel top press

used to press the wooden top onto a barrel

Skip

Skip is right on this one.  I have sold 4 or 5 of those over the years.  They are usually called a head press, but there may be other names for them.

Ken, you had a good idea but  a fruit press would have a longer screw shaft.