Antiquers put your thinkin caps on... Non Dug What's it???

[finderzzs]

I've owned this for many years and up til now I still don't know what its purpose is, do you? I purchased it with numerous Civil war era tin types. etc. It looks like it may be a game, but what kind of game or how would it be played? Or is it something entirely different. I'd appreciate any feedback.
The carved wooden outer case measures 4½" long, inside there is one piece with an iron hook, the other carved wooden pieces are either straight, pointed, forked, or have a scoop on the end. Each piece is 3¼" long. Give it your best shot, Aloha, finderzzs

[chicepo]

It looks to me like a hand carved game of Jack Straws. Where you dump out the parts in a pile and you take turns retrieving the parts
without moving any other part. You use the picker thing to help you.

[finderzzs]

It looks to me like a hand carved game of Jack Straws. Where you dump out the parts in a pile and you take turns retrieving the parts
without moving any other part. You use the picker thing to help you.

I've considered that, but why the shapes? What is the scoops for? If they were all straight, I'd buy that easily Just not 100% convinced yet.

[KTMRIDER]

chicepo got it. Antique Jack Straws. Look to be late 19th c. Very nice!

[PBK]

I've considered that, but why the shapes? What is the scoops for? If they were all straight, I'd buy that easily Just not 100% convinced yet.

Actually, those are fairly plain (but very nice!). Click on the pic at this link for some really fancy shapes:

http://store.paulmaddenantiques.com/ancabopistga.html

[finderzzs]

I've considered that, but why the shapes? What is the scoops for? If they were all straight, I'd buy that easily Just not 100% convinced yet.

Actually, those are fairly plain (but very nice!). Click on the pic at this link for some really fancy shapes:

http://store.paulmaddenantiques.com/ancabopistga.html

Wow PBK, thanks, now I am convinced. Couldn't figure out why they would have shapes, but I guess it's for aesthetics.. Mahalo

[ivan salis]

--- its modern version is called " chinese pick up sticks" and the sticks are thin differant colored plastic rods ----your of course id a very old version of it --- the shapes were set up as one shape per each player--- one had the spear point --one the scoop --and so on -- the straws were set up in a bundle together in a fist with design ends upwards then the fist was "opened" and the straws fell every which way and co mingled upon one another --you took turns with the hook item trying to be the first to remove all your sticks first --the rules were you could not "move" another persons stick or "upset" (cause the moving of) any sticks in the pile but yours while doing it --if you did your turn was over . the players took turns till one person had all their sticks free -- hope that helps you understand the game -- there should be a even number of each design of sticks --the differant shapes are to tell them apart from one another and the shapes allowed the iron hook a "fat spot" to grab on to so you could pull your sticks from the pile .--- enjoy your game --- Ivan

[finderzzs]

Thanks all, after you all put me on the right track, I did some more digging and the game with the shaped pieces was called, "Jack straws". Cool. And thank you all.