Kitchen Gadget or Something Else?

[diggummup]

It's about 8" long overall and probably dates to the 30's-40's. Opens and closes by use of a sliding ring. The "prongs have flat edges like a screwdriver and are not pointed like the middle probe. Not in my possession but I will try and answer any questions you have.What is it?

 

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[Itsmine]

While I didn't see your exact one I think we're on the right track with a pickle grabber. all the designs seem to be very similar to yours. Browse through these images. https://www.google.com/search?q=ant...ysZ7eAhWhnOAKHQygBCkQ_AUIDygC&biw=983&bih=707

 

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[sprailroad]

All I can say is if that is a kitchen gadget, and I believe it is, my wife would want it.

 

[diggummup]

All good ideas as to what it "could" be used for. Just not convinced any of them are what it is actually supposed to be used for. At this point I'd be happy to see another one besides the one posted. There has to be a specific use for such an odd looking item, no?

 

[tamrock]

Got me. I first thought it might be something to remove cherry pits, but I'm fairly sure that ain't it. There's too many patent drawings on kitchen utensils to muddle through, and without any info labeled to it, all I can do is guess. Whatever it is, I don't think it was a very successful device, like this thing is, that I'll be using on these coming holidays, as peeling potatoes is my function during those times and I will once again be admiring the person who created this time-saving, extremely efficient, wonderful utensil.

 

[DCMatt]

Not a pickle grabber...

This device is designed for the spike and the hooks to be pushed into semi-rigid material, then locked in place with the ring so it won't let go.

Someone mentioned cork puller earlier. It would only work if the cork was sticking out of the bottle - like champagne.

I'm thinking it is more practical than a champagne bottle opener, although I must agree with tamrock's assessment. It must not have been very successful doing whatever it was designed to do...

 

[Reanm8er]

I think its a pickle spear. You slide the spike into the end of the pickle and clamp the sides. No more pickles sliding off the fork!

 

[PullTabSlayer]

It is a puller of something, insert the probe, lock the ring and pull it. I have a faucet handle puller that looks just like it except for the sharp probe in the middle

 

[PullTabSlayer]

I just looked in my plumbing tool box and my faucet handle puller has 3 arms that lock with a ring and the center probe is blunt. I still think it is a puller of something

 

[Plug N Play]

Being as it's almost Halloween I'll play devil's advocate ... he-he
Poke a piece of leather ... slide the ring ... it "pushes".

In an odd way I suppose this could be used to separate the tool without any pulling, only pushing ?

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Perhaps someone's idea of a "safety ice pick" with locking protective arms when not in use? Nah.

Early contact lens remover?

 

[nagant]

Bung remover?

 

[Inix]

Colonestcomy tool.

 

[Reanm8er]

Look up Pickle Server or Pickle Spike or Spear. You'll see that they have different three prong designs to remove a pickle Perhaps from a gallon jar, AKA bar chow. All of those designs feature the central spike, just like yours. Most of the designs have side arms to force the pickle off the spike, not hold it on.

So, we have a potential reference point re: the spear, OK if we're not spearing pickles, what has a similar shape, is softer and slicker, but no fibrous center like a pickle?

A pickled sausage, fatty, slimy and even harder to keep on a fork than a pickle, also bar chow. Note the eye in the handle for hanging on a wall. This implies institutional use rather than an accessory for someone's home kitchen.

You didn't necessarily have to push the ring down, you could just squeeze the forks in to keep the item on the spike.

You might also look at this from a Kosher standpoint. Hebrew folk are much more particular about how their food is handled, as this also is prescribed by the Tora. With respect to that you might not find an exact image on the net.

Perhaps a necessity for a delicatessen?

 

[sprailroad]

All I can figure is that the locking ring was to secure it for placing it in a drawer, and I'd bet the eye ring on top was added later, could not be used for anything much that was in a jar I would think, perhaps for spearing and grabbing something out of a hot skillet, but then simple tongs would work for that, oh man, should never have looked at this thread, it's almost like, America wants to know type of thing. Just what WAS that "Gadget" meant to be used for.

 

[DCMatt]

How about a fish gripper - for scaling and filleting. Insert the spike in a convenient place and lock it on. Instant fish handle!

 

[Reanm8er]

I think you're right about the ring being used for storage. I also thought about the skillet aspect. I believe it's made for something that stands vertical in it's container, although I can't come up with too many things of that nature. Also the container has to be shallow. The pickle servers I looked at looked to be about 18" long, as made for reaching down into a deep jar or barel. It would also have to be a wide mouthed jar.

Don't loose faith brother, the fun is in the quest!

 

[lairmo]

I spent 2 hours looking for an image of this...Found everything but...

 

[diggummup]

I spent 2 hours looking for an image of this...Found everything but...

You and me both. I've seen every gadget known to man now, except this one. Lol

I spent a good hour probably just looking at pickle spears the other day.

 

[Reanm8er]

diggummup, is there a patent number?

 

[tamrock]

Second attempt images come in better.

As a WAG: a corn cob holder or perhaps a roast/turkey lifter? I agree kitchen of 30's to 40's.

That's another good take on it. A one handed corn cob holder. Those beetle jaws would prevent the cob from spinning and falling off the spike is a possible idea. This way you could eat your corn like a popsicle. Maybe even dip it in a tub of hot butter and not get it all over the holder on the other side