I've searched and searched and no one so far has been able to identify this tool. Help!? It comes in 15 graduate pieces, all brass, each numbered 1-15. All but one have hollow tubes. The first is marked #1 and has a pin on end. I thought a reloading tool but so far, those guys say no. Thanks for your help

maybee some safe picks

an early inside micrometer?

thought maybe a precision tool but the numbers don't add up. unless there is something missing.
keep um' comin' :) i am really curious ... part of a vintage christmas tree?:)

They look like telescoping ID gages only earlier. Have you measured each one? If each is a different length then I'd say they were bore guages of some sort. If not, I'm stumped.

 Cork cutters - hollow tubes sharpened on one end. Sold in sets of six or more to drug stores and such for making small corks.Set should have a rod to push the completed cork out of the cutter.

Nice call, Papaw!

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-brass-drug-store-cork-cutter-set-of

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/large-number-complete-brass-cork-162743462

Papaw.. you are a genius!!! Can I join the Phart club? Big Hugs! And yes, I promise I am a girl :)

QuoteCan I join the Phart club?

You will have to show us your Perfect Handle repurposed tools, or prove to us that you are truly an afficianado of such! LOL

10-4 I'll go digging through my rust bin tomorrow. :)

Not to split hairs, I read what it says on worthopedia, but these were (are) actually used to bore holes in cork or rubber stoppers for laboratory equipment, in order to pass glass tubing through the stopper. They're still available from laboratory suppliers. As for cutting cork bottle stoppers, these cut a hole, and thus a plug, of uniform diameter, great if you want a hole to pass tubing through, not so good for a stopper. A cork stopper for a bottle intended to be corked and uncorked would need some degree of taper, to make it easier to start in the opening and to keep it from falling into the bottle when driven tight.

I see your point.  Makes sense to me.

I agree.. that is a great point! Thanks

I dug one of these out of the trash when a lab modernized to rubber stoppers. 
It was far safer, cheaper, and neater to buy manufactured rubber stoppers with holes already there.
Nice find.

Thanks.. it was in a large lot of  old old Herters, RCBS and Lyman reloading tools I bought years ago and am finally getting around to selling. It did seem odd to be in that lot.
Possibly it was a make due tool for moonshiners. :) Just a fun thought!