Found a Tiny Flat Iron with a Metal Knob for a Handle. How Old?

[FreeBirdTim]

Deep in the woods today and going along a stone wall, when I got a strong iron signal. Took awhile to dig it up, since it was a good 9 inches down. I was surprised to pull out a tiny flat iron! It's only around 3 3/4 inches long and weighs 1 1/2 pounds. The only marking I see on it is the number "3". What's weird about it is the fact that it has a metal knob or wheel for a handle. They usually have wood handles, so you didn't burn yourself when you picked it up.

Does anyone have an idea as to how old? I looked on eBay and did a Google image search, but couldn't find one that had a knob for a handle. Any guesses would be appreciated.


Here's a few pics:

 

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[GB1]

that is strange

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Interesting find!

 

[villagenut]

Never seen knobbed handle either. Cool!

 

[Hawks88]

That’s an odd one. Maybe it’s not an iron. Interesting find though.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

My only other thought was something to do with shoe repair. Maybe some sort of cobbler's tool that they used to stretch the leather with? Just a wild guess on my part.

 

[GB1]

i was thinking maybe it was on a door of some sort and there was a latch above the handle and you just pulled the latch up and pulled on the handle

 

[FreeBirdTim]

I may have to run it through electrolysis to determine what it is. I hate finding things I can't ID!

 

[Trezurehunter]

I believe the base part is a "collar iron", and the knob is makeshift. I have found 2 collar irons, but one of mine has a handle, and the other is missing the handle. Maybe the original handle broke off, and the knob is what they had laying around for the repair job. You know the old saying back then "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" !

 

[FreeBirdTim]

The knob could be makeshift, but I've never seen any flat iron with a single post. They all have two posts for the handle. Very weird!