antique mystery

milktray

Hi here is the question. I found this item many years ago but have no idea what it is for or how old it actually is.... If anyone knows what this item is - let me know

Fuzzy Clam

Looks like some type of a press, maybe a spice press. Just guessin.

Lord ButterSlip

Nut cracker definatly, an inventive one though!

Scawgeen

Butter stamp ???

Blade

Lord ButterSlip wrote: »

Nut cracker definatly, an inventive one though!

But the threads don't allow the crusher part to go down far enough to be able to crush a nut. Only goes down half way.

Dr Strange

Blade wrote: »

But the threads don't allow the crusher part to go down far enough to be able to crush a nut. Only goes down half way.

Maybe it's just a walnut-cracker? That would permit the walnut to be opened if positioned correctly but doesn't create a mix of bits of shell and nut.

milktray

I honestly dont know what it is so one of you may be correct...but until I find out for sure it remains guess work...

Lord ButterSlip

Try it with a walnut if one will fit but i wouldnt try it with an almond or brazil or any of the other insanely hard ones.

Fuzzy Clam

It's definitely not a nutcracker.
I thought it may be an old wine corker but there isn't a hole for the bottle.

There's a gap just above the hinge. When closed, something flat may fit in that space

citizen_p

it looks like theres a bit missing from the handle bit....maybe a metal top...

but to prove or disprove the nut theory just get a few and see.

could be for grinding pepper or somthing similar.

chem

Maybe an early bullet reloading, piece? Put empty shell in smooth bit. Close up, put bullet head in hole, then screw down in place. Just handle has a cone shaped hollow at the end of it.

Blade

I think you're going to have to ask one of those guys from the antiques programs on the BBC, they might have forums where you could ask. Or just chance your arm and mail the program makers and see will they pass the message on

Then again I'm sure theres other dedicated forums on the net. But let us know won't you!

milktray

Thanks Blade and others, I am trying other avenues, the Antique roadshow site is finished...but I promise to disclose my finding when I eventually find out the answer....

Pepper grinder

looksee

I have no more information than anyone else, but looking at the pictures, it isn't something designed for applying a lot of force, there is a bit missing from the bottom just above the hinge, and I think there is a bit - a little rod -missing from the 'plunger'. So could it be a cherry or olive pitter. Put a little metal plate in the bottom of the cylinder with a hole in it just big enough for a stone to go through. Put the fruit on it, close the cylinder and screw the rod down to push the stone into the bottom section.
Well its as good a suggestion as any

Lord ButterSlip

Im still going to stick with the nut cracker idea because of the dimple on the bottom of the screwing down bit for holding the nut in the centre of the screw, The fact the the insid can be accessed without having to remove the screw the full way (it swings open by the bottom allowing the nut to be removed easily and another one to be put in) and the way the design would mean none of the bits of the nut would go flying off to the other side of the room when cracked.

looksee

Since it was evidently a commercial thing - the round hinge on the bottom appears to be made for this particular gadget - I wonder why they decided on that style of handle? No matter what it is used for, turning the screw mechanism is necessary, wouldn't a cross bar of some sort been more suitable?
Just to be argumentative, it doesn't look big enough to be a nut cracker, and the nut would be forced against the hinge. Olives would keep the hinge oiled

ODD-JOB

And it looks like its made from "boxwood" or "yew", which is really soft .
infact you'd loose the threads on this device if you applied any really stressful grinding.

It does appear to double up as a rolling device or mallet or so ?

It does look like a grinder of some sorts , but not for strong cased nuts.

but then the shaft only goes down half way through the body ..... so I dont know .

this is going to bug me now till a solution is found !!!

Fuzzy Clam

There is a slot above the hinge. The height of this is the same as the width of the lower part of the recessed round section as can be seen when opened. Something goes in here which is meant to be removed.
Either this part is missing or the part is part of a manufactoring process. A new part is placed there each time it's used.
Whatever, the pressure can't be great or, as previously stated, a T bar would be used.
It looks like tool where accuracy is required.

ODD-JOB

OK ..... I think its a late 19th C butter mould !!!!

Lord ButterSlip

ODD-JOB wrote: »

OK ..... I think its a late 19th C butter mould !!!!

How does it work?

ODD-JOB

Well id imagine its body is closed in cup form ,
then heated butter poured into the sealed chamber .
Then the handle is inserted and turned until it compresses the cooling butter .
A solid butter state is then revealed when the handle is un-screwed and the body is opened .

http://dairyantiques.com/Butter_Molds.html

Im still not 100% certain , but ...........

Fuzzy Clam

Externerly, it looks a bit like a butter mould but it's not one. It's not sealed for a start.

looksee

I wonder if it could have been a thing for making cattle bolus/pills? It would need a bit of metal frame inside then a dryish paste of medication put in and the handle screwed down to make a large pill.
Since the screw only goes down as far as the top of the cavity I am not quite sure how pressure would have been applied, but that applies to anything put into it. Maybe there was some sort of sprung pressure plate?

ODD-JOB

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

Externerly, it looks a bit like a butter mould but it's not one. It's not sealed for a start.

Oh yeah , theres a gap at the bottom on both sides .

grrrr !

10-10-20

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

There is a slot above the hinge. The height of this is the same as the width of the lower part of the recessed round section as can be seen when opened. Something goes in here which is meant to be removed.
Either this part is missing or the part is part of a manufactoring process. A new part is placed there each time it's used.
Whatever, the pressure can't be great or, as previously stated, a T bar would be used.
It looks like tool where accuracy is required.

I think Fuzzy is on the right track.
I believe that a blade/knife is inserted in the gap above the hinge when when the unit is closed, then a nut such as nutmeg is then compressed down on the knife to slice it in two.
This would make access to the fruit inside the shell easier.

So, I guess it's a nutmeg slicer.
http://jacobs-kitchen.com/nuslgr.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutmeg

looksee

Why would you want to slice a nutmeg? Nutmeg is extremely hard, and is finely grated for use.

Lord ButterSlip

Im certain it's not for Nutmeg because if it isnt powerful enough to crack a nut it definatly wouldnt slice nutmeg.

latenia

Could it be related to sewing or weaving?