probably very useful for its very specific use but I have no clue as to what it was.
arced rim is marked from 5 to 10 is equally spaced segments. Also stamped Knt Scheerer Other handle stamped but not legible to me.Also has trademark stamped but not legibly.Any of this info give any one a clue?

Couple more photos

Google says KNY-Scheerer Corp of America supplied surgical instruments and laboratory equipment, so that is a clue.

Getting warmer.....here's a pic of a more complete one, also stamped KNY-Sheerer. Person who owns it doesn't know what it is either though.

What happens when you move the lever part?

 When you move the handle the arms move around the arc.
I went thru over 3000 pages of a KNT Scheerer catalog on line and didnt find  this device.

ribcage spreader?

Hello, Skip. I was thinking the same thing, but can't find any proof. Jim, I stopped at 2000, were you looking in the 1915 catalog? Regards, Lou

Yes I was looking at 1915 catalog. Not sure its hefty enough to spread ribs

Found it! It is something called a "pelvimeter."  A device for measuring whether a baby can come out the way nature intended, or if it has to come out via "alternate means."


Picture isn't appropriate for posting, but here is the link. WARNING: Click on this and you are going to get a gynecologist's-eye view of the device in action.

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Pelvic-Survey-*-Thoms/88ad228e555af4c330b5ee94ade6b68a4d8ece9a/figure/3

 Thanks Bob you have saved me a lot of time.
ps: I will immediately quit picking my teeth with the handle.

Ok then.... moving on....

Hello, Bob. Great job on the research!!

Quote from: jimwrench on April 06, 2019, 07:46:13 PM
ps: I will immediately quit picking my teeth with the handle.

I hope you at least sanitized it after picking your teeth.   No telling where that thing has been.