What is this

[Butch.]

A friend got this tool in a box with other old tools.
The person who sold the box of tools doesn't know what it was used for

 

[Den N Ms]

Maybe an Old knife steel

 

[Dennis Minn]

Butch,

Does it have left-handed threads? It appears the rod is brass/bronze with a small eyelet.

No help, but it definitely has me curious.

D.

 

[Butch.]

The rod looks to be made of brass.
What look like threads are just round grooves.

 

[Butch.]

It was in a box of mostly plumbing tools if that is any help.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

Looks vaguely like a dip stick of sorts , maybe from a piece of specialist equipment , Vacuum pump or the like .

 

[rustyfarmall]

It is vaguely familiar. I know I have seen something like it, somewhere. Maybe something to do with leather working?

 

[Mark Poss]

Looks like a Steele for sharpening knives

 

[Janicholson]

Real anyique Marlin Spike for splicing Rope hawsers? Jim

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 10:07:13 02/08/19) Real anyique Marlin Spike for splicing Rope hawsers? Jim

You may be onto something.

 

[Butch.]

Thought of a rope slicer but don't think this is one.
They usually are shaped different with a pointed end.

 

[ohiojim]

sure do look like left hand threads

 

[MtMan]

only a guess but I think it is a tool to pack lead in an old lead filled pipe joint.

 

[Butch.]

I will look closer at it.
I put my finger nail in a grove and spun it and my figer nail didn't move up or down the shaft.
Just look like friction grooves that might seal if this thing is pushed into something with maybe a rubber grommet around the opening,

 

[Butch.]

I have seen lead tools for pipe joints and they don't look anything like this unit.

 

[Russ from MN]

Oakum tampers.

 

[Russ from MN]

I have a Marlinspike and it comes to a flat point on the end, so you can work it between the strands of a wire rope.

 

[teddy52food]

Maybe a fire stick?

 

[Tony in SD]

If it is small, it?s a perfume dipper. The threads would have screwed into the perfume bottle

 

[teddy52food]

Should have said fire piston.

 

[Butch.]

16 inches long.

 

[Dr. Walt]

It looks like a variation of the Stopper actuating handle which would sit between the Hot & Cold valves on an antique Porcelain Sink. Pull up on the handle about an inch and it would pull up the end of a pivoting rod which would allow the metal Sink Stopper to go down into it's seat, thereby plugging the sink drain.

 

[Bruce(OR)]

Elephant perfume bottle. . . . .

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Maybe for large stitching or lacing? Wife used to re-cane chairs and has a tool with a similar eye bot it's thin and flat. Caning needle used for pulling the diagonal strands through.

 

[Butch.]

The end is round so I don't think it was used for any kind of stitching.