Interesting tool. What is it?

[Jsjac]

I was cleaning up at my in-laws place and found this tool.

When the tool is open and you push on the middle it closes up.
Looks like it was mounted on a broom style handle.
I thought maybe for grabbing chickens or some other kind of animal???

Any thoughts. Could not find anything online?

 

[ken erickson]

Norlunds frog/fish grabber I think

Vintage ANTIQUE NORLUND LION FISH SPEAR GRABBER TOOLS AXES HATCHETS KNIVES -- Antique Price Guide Details Page

 

[NCL4701]

You can still buy them but that one looks pretty old.

Robot or human?

I don’t know why that link translated to “Robot or human” when I posted it. If the link is wonky, just Google Norlunds Frog/Fish Grabber. Walmart still sells them. Probably others as well but I stopped looking.

Never seen anything like it before.

Edit: Maybe this will work better. One on E-Bay for $29.99…

Vintage Norlund's Spring Loaded Fish Frog Fishing Gaff Grabber on Pole 44" | eBay

Made in the United States, this large gaff is perfect for catching fish of all sizes. Its size of 44" makes it easy to handle and maneuver.

www.ebay.com

 

[Jsjac]

Thanks for the fast response

 

[imnukensc]

We used them as frog grabbers versus using a frog gig when I was a kid --- a long time ago. They work quite well on bullfrogs.

 

[Henro]

So they are essentially spring loaded, and when you hit something you want to grab, it moves the center between the jaws back enough that the springs push the sides together, sort of like a two sided mouse trap?

Interesting.

I guess not too good if you don’t wanna harm what you’re catching!

 

[RCW]

Neat - never would have guessed that one.

We often used a BB gun or .22 shorts. Usually a BB was sufficient when placed properly.

 

[ChiefWebb]

When I was in high school my neighbor and I used these tools to catch bull frogs in a nearby reservoir for extra grade points for our Biology teacher, who used them in class for dissection. Most of the frogs captured by spring gigs were relatively unharmed.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Looks like something I need when someone else opens my tool box

 

[DaveFromMi]

Design was copied by the Alien creature.