what is this tool - what is it used for?

[Curios George]

Anybody know what this is? What it is used for?

[Northwoods]

If nobody here knows what a tool is to be used for, they call it a nutcracker.

Well, I think we have one here.

BTW, haven't we seen this or one much like it in the not too recent past?

[Papaw]

Welcome to Tool Talk!

Was it originally attached to the wood, or was it done for display purposes?

More photos might help.

[bill300d]

Yes a nut cracker. Every one that I have ever seen Papaw was attached to a small piece of wood like that I assume to be able to clamp to the edge of the kitchen table or other suitable surface.
I believe this is the patent http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0&docid=00009985&IDKey=34E9E187DE74%0D%0A&HomeUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526d%3DPALL%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526s1%3D0009985.PN.%2526OS%3DPN%2F0009985%2526RS%3DPN%2F0009985   

I see them pretty regular around here.

[international3414]

maybe a cork shaper

[turnnut]

 I have 2 of these nut crackers, and both are mounted on wood, it helps to keep it steady when you push down on the handle to crack nuts.

 thanks for the patent.

[lptools]

Hello, After looking at the Patent, with New Haven, Conn. on the page, my guess is that nutcracker was produced by Sargent. I have sold a few in the past, one with a strong SARGENT label. Regards, Lou

[turnnut]

Bill300d, thanks for the patent, Frank

[bill300d]

Ip
You are correct on Sargent making these. I found them in the 1869, 71 and 74 catalogs as a no.10 nut cracker with a Japanned finish. The next catalog that I have is 1911 and it is not in that catalog.
I am not aware of any other company's that manufactured this nutcracker but you never know what will turn up. 

Turnnut   
Any time

[lptools]

Hello, Bill. Thanks for verifying. I didn't send a photo, because the only Sargent catalog I have is the year 1911. Thanks again, Lou

[bill300d]

IP 
look on https://archive.org for the others I mentioned.