The sharp needle identifies this for me. It is actually a hypodermic syringe to inject saline into hams and other meat for food presevation. We had one on the farm. Heavy, nickel plated, right? My grandfather did his own butchering, salt was a major preservative for years. Another use for it was a bit shadier. At county fairs, livestock shows, it was important the animals looked to be in good health, excellent specimens. Before taken to the show ring, bulls, steers, would have air or water injected under the skin to plump them up, like they use botox on humans now.