Mystery Tool

[L4740]

Anybody have any idea what this was/is used for? I came across while cleaning out an old farm building and have never seen one before. It looks old, but probably not antique. Any info on it would be appreciated.

 

[Eldubya]

Can't say for sure, but it looks like it would be used to cap / uncap some kind of bottle or can?

 

[sheepfarmer]

Thread or hold baling twine or some kind of fence wire?

 

[Lil Foot]

Looks a lot like a seal puller.

 

[Daren Todd]

Looks a lot like a seal puller.

I was thinking that too but the way it pivots, and the hole in the handle. Looks like it would slide down onto a handle of some sort.

I'm wondering myself if it was part of an antique canning set up where they had the wire that came up over the top of a jar to hold the lid in place.

 

[mdhughes]

I was thinking a milk can top puller/remover. The flat area looks like it would sit on the one edge, while the hooked end would pull on the other.

 

[bcp]

My idea was a frameless wire gate tightener/latch.

http://timberbuttehomestead.com/bui...tretch-wire-gate-cheater-bar-latch-entry-189/

Bruce

 

[Lil Foot]

Is it painted grey, or is it a grey phosphate finish? (military?)

 

[L4740]

Is it painted grey, or is it a grey phosphate finish? (military?)

Thanks for the ideas guys.

It doesn't seem to me that it is painted at all. Looks like it is galvanized metal. I was thinking originally that it was a tool for opening old metal 5 gallon pails. The one's with the metal tabs bent under the lid, but I can't figure out why it would have a double hook on the end. It may just remain a mystery.

 

[Daren Todd]

Find someone around 90 years old that still has there marbles, and ask them. Specifically an old farmer or mechanic. Solved a few of those mysteries by asking my grandfather One was an old wooden device that looked like a truss for a small set of stairs with a handle and lever attached. Come to find out, it was a jack for an old covered wagon

 

[RCW]

Looks a lot like a seal puller.

I was thinking a milk can top puller/remover. The flat area looks like it would sit on the one edge, while the hooked end would pull on the other.

I thought of both things, too.

Never saw a milk can top puller, and I was around milk cans the first part of my life. That doesn't mean they don't exist, and the size seems right.

Be interesting to find what it is...........

 

[sheepfarmer]

Send a picture to the guys on This Old House for their mystery tool segment! Maybe it could be on tv

 

[olthumpa]

That is a doohickey that you use on a whatchamacallit to loosen the thingamabob so you can remove the doodad.