Any ideas? I'm totally lost. The wood is on a threaded rod braised to the device, so it isn't a pump handle...

It is slightly smaller than a softball

Only writing is on metal screw cap where the glass is. It reads "Pat. Mar 16 -69"

maybe a old steam sprayer/cleaner?

Perhaps? How large would that be? I added size to description

the nozzle looks like a siphon to spray something...

The bottom, although T'ed, is totally closed. Something could only go from inside the ball, through it, and out the very tiny end. Unsure why the glass is shaped like that.

Only writing is on the metal part around the glass. Reads "Pat. Mar. 16 -69"

pat # 87,978 atomizing appratus

>pat # 87,978 atomizing appratus

Concur.

From the patent, it's actually a medical device to make steam / vapor, you are missing the part that holds the heater.
Designed so it can be held by the patient without spilling boiling water all over themselves.

Interesting!

For future reference... How did you find the pat. number?

Think there is any collect-ability or value to it? My girlfriend picked it up at an antique festival for only a few dollars, I'd love to tell her she scored (other than just scoring something cool to decorate with).

Search by patent date and hope there weren't too many to scroll through.

There were only 252 patents issued on that date, later dates get harder, by the 1900's there are typically a thousand per week issued...