One my Victorian blacksmith mates got asked yesterday what this is and or does? He thought I might know! A look through some my catalogues & tool dictionaries has proved fruitless. Can anyone here clear this one up?
Graeme

If you had a length of chain, it might let you hook onto each end, and tighten the chain around something.  The length of the screw would suggest that it was for use with a round object - maybe a barrel?  But that's a guess based on appearance, not from actual knowledge.  The "chain" might be a flat strap with loops at each end, and the multiple hooks would permit use over a variety of sizes within a range.  One loop could even go past the center, surrounding the screw and going into the first hook on opposite side.

My swag is that it is a caning or wire stretcher.

How do the 2 sides move as the screw is run in and out?

I'm going from the photo also, It seems to be a solid one piece mallable casting, only moving part is the screw!? The screw looks like one thats the same as a carpenters adjustable bar clamp. My latest thought that it was used with ropes or slings?
Graeme

I would have to agree with Ron's guess, in that it appears to be a clamp to take up the slack on a chain or strap wrapped around a barrel, wagon wheel, or anything round, to hold in place while working it. <My WAG

still searching,

Wayne

Quote from: anglesmith on May 04, 2011, 02:57:40 AM
I'm going from the photo also, It seems to be a solid one piece mallable casting, only moving part is the screw!? The screw looks like one thats the same as a carpenters adjustable bar clamp. My latest thought that it was used with ropes or slings?
Graeme

Rope or heavy cording were my first thought, actually.  I've been thinking about what trade, what task would use such a clamp.  Barrel making could use a tool like this, except the screw would put more pressure on one stave than all the rest, and that doesn't seem a good idea.  It would work best as some kind of band clamp if there were something solid between the pieces clamped this way.  Besides, coopers had their own developed tools, and I don't recognize this as a cooper's tool, not that I've seen anyway. 

What occurred to me is that it would be useful to carpenters making up hollow pillars.  Assembled from several planks, much like a barrel, this clamp would be useful in assembly, much like a band clamp, especially if the pillar tapered in a shallow arch. 

Having worked for 6 months in a jute mill that made jute carpet loom beams, this looks like a tool in combination with others that might be used when setting up a beam run.

I am stumped..........

Glad that the picture came back up. I was thinkinking of reposting it! Whatit thread are usless without a picture.
Graeme