Very Old Tool - What was it used for?

[mjlalt]

Picked this up at a church flea market for $5

It looks like some sort of clamp

Any Ideas what it was used for .

 

[clovis97]

It looks like a homemade furniture clamp or some type of compression clamp.

 

[frankendime]

What he said....^^^^^

 

[Tallone]

It looks like a homemade furniture clamp or some type of compression clamp.

I'm sure clovis is exactly right. Here is a similar one that recently sold on ebay for $25: Hartford Clamp Co PR Antique Cast Iron Furniture Clamps E Hartford Ct | eBay

That thing looks pretty old and made by a blacksmith somewhere. Are there any markings on it that would identify the maker, place, or date of manufacture?

 

[mjlalt]

I didn't find any markings on it . Thanks for the input.
It seemed unusual because of the pin. I have never seen a clamp like this one

 

[Tallone]

The pin would be used to set the position of the fixed end of the clamp. Where you position that end on the bar would depend on the width of the material you want to clamp. So... if you were going to glue two pieces of wood together, you would remove the pin, slide the fixed end back just far enough for the wood to fit between the clamps, and then slide the fixed end up to meet the wood. Put the pin into the hole nearest the fixed end so it can't slide back and then screw down the other end of the clamp until the wood is squeezed tight between the clamp ends. Let it sit until the glue dries and VOILA! you have a single piece of wood!