Looks kinda like a breast drill. but...

[johnsironsanctuary]

I saw this on ebay. It will probably go out before you see it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200979501429?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

[Edkat3]

Could be the cranking mechanism for a hand held seeder.

[fflintstone]

given the size I will say paint mixer.

[oldgoaly]

I agree with FF some type of mixer? I saved a couple of pics so it can be discussed further as it sold.

[john k]

The crank arm is so thin looking.   The closest thing I can think of is a rope winder.  They usually had 3 fingers turning though. 

[johnsironsanctuary]

The base part looks like an X section. Like it fits in a round hole or even a hardy hole.

A paint mixer sound like a workable idea, except for the lack of paint spatter.

[Billman49]

If the central arm(s) is (are) adjustable for depth, I'd also go for a paint stirrer (or similar usage) - adjustable so that the strirrer stays below the liquid level - possibly missing a wooden handle on the square tang....

[Branson]

Looks really Rube Goldberg for a paint stirrer -- using a stir stick would be a lot more practical.  It's gotta be for twisting something -- something light weight.  The casting and the gears were factory made.  Maybe the rest of the thing too. 

[Branson]

It's an incomplete rope twister.  Found discussion of a complete one at:

http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/21956-old-farm-tools/

[Bus]

Never seen a rope maker like that. Looks more like a mop wringer.

[bill300d]

Looks like it is a self wringing mop according this link in that forum                                                        http://www.examiner.com/article/unusual-artifacts-usual-life-kitchen-tools

[rudeawakening55]

  Right ON bill300 d

[Billman49]

If it is a rope maker's tool , it's for twisted straw rope, used as packaging etc -  a single twist is all that is required (unlike three strands in common rope) - in the UK the tool used is a wimbrel, just a plain crank (like a hand brace) with a hook on the end... Some have a loop so they can be hang from a hook on the wall, leaving a hand free to feed the straw...

[rusty]

Look at the OP tho, the handle is shorter than the fellows thumb ?

Awfull tiny mop...

[Branson]

Curiouser and curiouser...  The one John posted from eBay doesn't have enough handle to be a mop, nor does the one I posted yesterday.  Maybe the handles were lopped off for re-purposing.  As a "mop twister, " it still looks on the Rube Goldberg side of things.  On the other hand, one of the folks who responded on that list wrote, "Rope twister it is. Made one years ago to make rope out of surplus baling twine. A similar one is used in Nevada where I ranched to make horsehair rope. " 

It looks pretty complicated for either task actually.  Whichever it might be, there's gotta be a patent on the contraption, and at this point, I think that's the only way we will know for certain.  Maybe they're both wrong and it's for something like pulling taffy...