This weeks mystery object!

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Hi All

I have several of these from an auction lot. Google lens says some sort of cork extractor or corn shelling tool but Ido not get that at all?

Made of mahogany with a nicely made wooden screw threaded top.

The pointed end resembles the tang on a chisel or similar?

The side “pin” is solid on most of them but removes on a couple>

 

[MichaelRParticipant @michaelr]

I haven’t a clue what your item is, but think it may have something missing that the “tang” was inserted into.

[David SeniorParticipant @davidsenior29320]

Could the spike be for holding a candle?

[David Senior]

On David Senior Said:

Could the spike be for holding a candle?

Which then leads to maybe it’s a candle ejector, a very, very posh one.

I’ve got a pair of brass candle sticks with a blacksmith made ejector, steel spike with a washer riveted onto the bottom.

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Hi, Are you thinking that this is a hand held candle holder? It will not stand up on a surface and would be very unstable anyway?

Martin

[Mike HurleyParticipant @mikehurley60381]

The bottom piece appears to have some small holes, so perhaps this unit would be screwed down. So it would be perfectly stable holding / ejecting candles.

Mike

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Paint flecks, no holes.. Martin

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

And the top looks like what ?  The tang looks like it is “nailed” into something.

[Speedy Builder5]

On Speedy Builder5 Said:

[…]
The tang looks like it is “nailed” into something.

Possibly a ceremonial/processional  ‘pole’

MichaelG.

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Hi All,

I have had time to examine these more closely.

The central spike with the tang is retained by the small threaded bar. The spike has clear evidence of being hit with a hammer as the end is burred over, worse on some, not so bad on others. Shown circled in yellow.

So it looks like the spike is hammered into an object then the cylindrical wooden part placed over it and secured with the small bar; followed by the decorative cap.

Presumably these are then used to lift and carry the object? The only thing that possibly comes to mind is a coffin!

Any other thoughts are welcome!

Cheers, Martin

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Note that the body and the cap seem standard across their set, but the tangs seem to differ considerably. Or are they all the same length but happened to be inserted loosely to different depths in the body?

The existence of the cross-pin suggests the depth of the tang into the body is intended to be constant even if the hole depths are not very repeatable- though why they should not be, I cannot say.

You say above that the pin is “solid” on some of these. That could simply be by rust. The pin seems to have done more than simply hold the spike in place- unless the extra length is to allow its ready removal when dismantling The Thing in its normal use. In which case one might expect it to have a neat little knob or at least a screwdriver slot.

 

Try considering what we might drive the tang into. Unless something like a lawn, it would need be reasonably substantial or well re-inforced to avoid being riven apart.

 

They don’t seem strong enough to be handles for carrying hefty loads, and coffins were probably always fitted with their own handles.

What though, of being anchors for something like cloth screens, curtains or nets, with the tang driven to a predetermined depth into a soft plug in a hole in the wall? The fabric fitted with large loops, rings or hooks; the pin stopping said loop, ring or hook going too far back along the body? Just a wild idea!

 

Can we work out what the cap does? What is its shape on the hidden side?

The little notch in the rim of the cap standing on its own: does that look deliberate, as if to clear something, or accidental damage?

 

Might these be some sort of temporary legs for something perhaps dismantled for transporting or storing?

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

They look like Gimlets to me,  but why so many of them ?

[Nigel Graham 2]

On Nigel Graham 2 Said:

.. Can we work out what the cap does? What is its shape on the hidden side?

The little notch in the rim of the cap standing on its own: does that look deliberate, as if to clear something, or accidental damage?

Wonder why the ‘cap’ is a seperate piece? Surely if these were just a utility tool they would be turned in one, then saving having to cut 2 threads also?

Perhaps the ‘pin’ on the side actually assist in unscrewing the two parts – wooden threads can often get very tight?

I still think the cap is simply for keeing the unit upright / to hand temporarily on the workbench, then the whole thing picked up to complete whatever obscure operation it’s designed for.

 

 

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Hi All,

Nigel G2 the nick is accidental damage, most have some sort of damage; one a large split.

The steel parts are of different lengths as shown.

The caps are decoratively turned as in this pic. The whole thing is IMHO not a tool as such as too well finished for everyday use. They are obviously are for something really specific; I agree not strong enough for serious weight items to be lifted?

Cheers, Martin

[brickyParticipant @bricky]

Is it possible that they are for piercing an object and useing the side lever to assist in turning the tool to release whatever needs releasing.Just a thought.

Frank

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Ah – now we see the assumed top, I wonder if the tang is not a securing spike such as on a file, but a cutting point: i.e. are these really gravers; probably for working wood, maybe leather, rather than metal?

Such use and materials choice also being compatible with the shapely finish, and the size. Old wood-working tools were often blessed with a certain elegance of form.

The cap being that shape to allow one hand to push the tool forwards while the other holds what we may now see is the handle.

Perhaps the idea is that the blades as they would now be, are interchangeable.

Why have the pin protrude so, apart from ease of renoving it to change blades? It could allow some rotational control.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Just spotted this;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116551834778

Or possibly some variety of hold back, rather than pole support

Antique Victorian Era Turned & Carved Wood Drapery Holdback, Tieback Pair, 4" Diameters

Bill

 

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Peak4: I think that has hit the nail on the head! Well spotted!

An eye-watering asking price though!

My guess is that the small pin is installed vertically upwards to stop the main curtain pole from rolling forwards?

Many tanks to all who helped out here.

Cheers, Martin

[Martin King 2]

On Martin King 2 Said:

Peak4: I think that has hit the nail on the head! Well spotted!

An eye-watering asking price though!

My guess is that the small pin is installed vertically upwards to stop the main curtain pole from rolling forwards?

Many tanks to all who helped out here.

Cheers, Martin

Not sure as I’ve never seen one in use.
I suspect a hold back though, with the spike driven into a wooden peg in the brick/stonework

Here’s a modern version

Bill

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