🔎 UNIDENTIFIED Ghost town help

[highnam]

Found in a late 1800’s ghost town.
Ink well?
Thanks!!

 

[Red-Coat]

Looks like it might be this patent:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. CARTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Sponge-Holders for Mucillage and other Bottles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The part in the right of your picture is the retaining collar (labelled ‘c’ in the diagrams) that fits over the neck of a glue bottle, holding a sponge (labelled ‘b’ in the diagrams) into which the glue soaks and can then be spread evenly over whatever is being glued. The part on the left is the cap (labelled ‘e’ in the diagrams) that fits over the sponge retainer to stop it drying out when not in use.

 

[Sandog]

I remember using the bottle with a rubber tip with a slit to dispense the mucilage when you pushed down.

 

[Retired Sarge]

I remember using the bottle with a rubber tip with a slit to dispense the mucilage when you pushed down.

That brought back some memories......