O Brien MFG CO

[HeelSpur]

What do you reckon this was for?

[rusty]

Dunno, but I would wash my hands.

They made sewer cleaning machines ;P

[Billman49]

Looks like a cast iron file handle, but the hole is a little large for this usage (several UK manufacturere, e.g. Wells, made them). However still possible it's for a similar usage...

[Bus]

Since they made sewer cleaning equipment I would guess that it is a handle or grip for a sewer snake cable.

[HeelSpur]

Since they made sewer cleaning equipment I would guess that it is a handle or grip for a sewer snake cable.

Handle or grip would make sence but the thumb screw doesn't make sence to me. If you tighten it down on the cable it will spin with the cable or maybe that the idea if it was gripped lightly. But the thumb screw would be a lil dangerous.
I've always used machines that had the thumb screw at the outlet side of the machine for locking the cable in place and used thick leather gloves with what looked like fat staples in the palms.

[Billman49]

Since they made sewer cleaning equipment I would guess that it is a handle or grip for a sewer snake cable.

Handle or grip would make sense but the thumb screw doesn't make sence to me. If you tighten it down on the cable it will spin with the cable or maybe that the idea if it was gripped lightly.

I guess if its it a manual sewer snake, you need the handle to make it revolve...

[HeelSpur]

Since they made sewer cleaning equipment I would guess that it is a handle or grip for a sewer snake cable.

Handle or grip would make sense but the thumb screw doesn't make sence to me. If you tighten it down on the cable it will spin with the cable or maybe that the idea if it was gripped lightly.

I guess if its it a manual sewer snake, you need the handle to make it revolve...

Bingo I believe you nailed it. Believe I had a one track mind thinking of electric sewer machines.