ANY IDEAS??? What Is This?

skfloyd · May 16, 2011

I found this at an estate sale a few days ago but I have no clue as to what it could be. I am unable to read anything from the plate on the side. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

shaun7 · May 16, 2011

A strap ratchet :dontknow:

aka da Prof · May 16, 2011

were there farm implements at the sale? might be a rooster spur cutter---

NOLA_Ken · May 16, 2011

what does it do when you press the lever? I can't help but think I have seen something like that before.....but :icon_scratch:

I keep thinking it might be an old linemans cable stripper

lennon631 · May 16, 2011

shaun7 said:
A strap ratchet

I'm with Shaun, a strap rachet :icon_thumleft:

traderoftreasures · May 16, 2011

i would say that it cut some kind of string on a regular basis

WAres · May 16, 2011

baler bander/strapper?

Broken knee · May 16, 2011

How about a vintage bow string release? HH :icon_thumright:

Broken Knee

NOLA_Ken · May 16, 2011

Thread a rope through it, if it will go through one direction but not come back out unless you trip the lever, then what I think you have is an old type of ascender for climbing a rope. Are there any markings at all?

Tuberale · May 16, 2011

NOLA_Ken said:
Thread a rope through it, if it will go through one direction but not come back out unless you trip the lever, then what I think you have is an old type of ascender for climbing a rope. Are there any markings at all?

Agree, although I have not seen this before.

Does "trigger" releases the "claw"?

skfloyd · May 18, 2011

Sorry for the delay my inet has been out due to moving. It came in with stuff from a farm the guy doing the sale told me. When you press the trigger a hook moves up that is about a 1/4" in diameter. There are lots of moving parts inside just to make this happen though. There is a plate on the side but I am unable to read it.

NOLA_Ken · May 18, 2011

if you could post a pic of the other sides it may help, it's one of those things that, if it was in my hand, I could fiddle with it for a bit and figure it out..........I think.... :icon_scratch:

traderoftreasures · May 18, 2011

looks like it was strapped in the palm and thumb activated

trikikiwi · May 19, 2011

Just a wild guess - maybe a hand stitcher, for sewing up bags of grain/seed for example. :icon_scratch:

Whatever it is,
it's interesting :icon_thumleft:

Cheers, Mike

jrpoppapump · May 19, 2011

an ear tagger?

pat-tekker-cat · May 19, 2011

Cool tool! But no clue, I'll tag along after the herd, see what turns up! LOL!
Looks as if, one may could do any of the above mentioned ideas, with it? :icon_scratch:

Good answers, good answers.

Monty · May 19, 2011

It looks like one of Walter Mittey's inventions. It might make a lot of unnecessary motions and move gears and levers and do nothing! Just kidding. I'm pretty sure it is some kind of lineman's tool ergo the strap to prevent dropping it. Monty

skfloyd · May 19, 2011

I spoke with the guy at the shop today and he said it came from an old mill but it still doesn't give me any help. Hopefully some of you can figure it out. Thanks!