What is it? Medical? Very old

oldbattleaxe · May 28, 2010

This has been in my collection for years. I have been on many medical instrument sites but with no luck. Maybe one of you can tell me? There doesn't seem to be any markings. Looks like most of the silver or chrome has worn off. It is approx 12" long.

TreasureHunterChuck · Aug 10, 2013

my first thought was dental forceps

tamrock · Aug 10, 2013

I can only think of "OUCH" that thing don't look at all like something I'd like to see in the hands of the Doctor.

capt-zero · Aug 11, 2013

I spent five years in an OR working mostly orthopedics and general surgery. I don't recognise the instrument. However, as one poster mentioned, many instruments have only one specific use, and are frequently custom made(even in this day and age). Another issue is that new techniques are developed and then almost as quickly surpassed, and the instruments involved change as quickly (a good example is laparoscopy, where the techniques and instruments used 20 years ago do not resemble the computer and robotics techniques and instruments used today). All in all though, I tend to agree with the idea of bunion stretcher.

clovis97 · Aug 11, 2013

It is a bunion stretching tool used for stretching and forming the leather uppers on shoes for a more custom fit.

clovis97 · Aug 11, 2013

Also, the OP said that "most of the silver finish was gone".

Manufacturers have been using nickel to plate things for nearly 100 years. Just because it was nickel plated at one time doesn't mean that it was a medical or surgical tool.

I own prewar Lionel trains that had nickel plating on some of the parts.

The bunion stretching tool was most likely nickel plated as a rust inhibitor, and as a feature to sell a bright and shiny tool. What decent shoe store is going to risk marring and or staining a pair of leather shoes with a rusty old tool?