I know that my mother's father made this by hand and give it to my father's father.  He was a "body man" by trade.  What is it and what is it used for?

A CENTER PUNCH FOR PIPE ?

It's a pig roaster.

Everything pointy and hand made is a pig roaster...;P

Not a nutcracker.

I can't fit my mind around it doing any body work, but been wrong a couple of times already this week.   How big is it?   Can't really tell from that pic, 12 inches?   18?   

Quote from: john k on June 04, 2012, 10:07:52 PM
How big is it?

8.25" long - ~5/8" wide

Some kind of "shuttle" for tying wire or netting?

Quote from: Papaw on June 04, 2012, 11:04:01 PM
Some kind of "shuttle" for tying wire or netting?

That's what it looks like to me, too.

I think a shuttle for netting for sure.   Am thinking big tramble nets like they used in the river up here.   I remember my grandfather hanging his nets on the clothes line to check for repairs.  They were woven out of heavy cord,  with wooden hoops to hold them open.  I don't know the fishing regulations now, but some 40 years ago a game warden got all excited when he caught my grandfather pulling in some 50 foot tramble nets.   

I've always heard it called a "hoop net needle".  He would spend hours in the shade with this tool and the makings of a net (or one in for repair) strung out on a line much as John mentions.  They do have wooden "hoops" and I can remember well the wood soaking in the hog scalding vat.  They are very much legal (in Arkansas) with the proper high priced government permit.  Last I knew the yearly license fee was ~$400 per net.  A crude picture of a pile of those he made (now in the attic of the shop):

That's the job!  I have one made of wood, and another of plastic.  I showed the wooden one to an old-timer friend and he knew it instantly, and talked about the different kinds of nets he and his grandfather used to make with one of these.  All illegal, now, of course.  None of those he made were hoop nets, though.

What wonderful memories you have!

Thanks for the info guys, I have one of these made of wood that I have had for several years but never did know what it was for.