Mystery Tool - Does Anyone Know What This is For ?

[rynegold]

Ok, a friend turned up this "tool" and I've no idea what its for. I bring it to the attention of my sailing/salty friends as its made of bronze! and the return spring (inside the handles) is zinc plated. Clearly this is made for saltwater environs.... so: what the heck is it??

The 1/2 sphere is made of hard rubber. The groove in the one jaw is to "index" /rest on something.... anyone got a clue??

all comments apprecieated!

regards, mitch

[Sailmonkey]

I think you've found the elusive hodgemeister refledging tool!!

[Nemo55]

Looks like some early Veterinary instrument,,

[delmarrey]

A trap setting tool?

[Tellie]

It's used to undo stubborn granny knots.

[Ironhorse74]

It is a warthog speculum

[HopCar]

"It's used to undo stubborn granny knots."
Tellie, I thought that was what a knife was for.

[atoll]

a church organ valve depressing tool?????

[Lagoon4us]

An adjustable ball pein hammer for a monohull. Just add lead!!!!!!!

[Lagoon4us]

Originally Posted by atoll

a church organ valve depressing tool?????

That is depressing!!!!!

[avb3]

Bronze tools are also used in mines when working with explosives as they create no sparks, but I would have no idea how this might be used in that environment.

[cat man do]

Fire sprinkler pliers to stop water flow.

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by cat man do

Fire sprinkler pliers to stop water flow.

It does look like the Chubb and Federal tools made to shut off the flow from fire sprinkler heads.

[gcaptain]

You are all wrong, that's clearly a tool from the days of old steam powered boats for carrying around buckets of steam and, in latter years, to carry those heavy sound-powered phone batteries. It was also used, by some, as a pry bar when the captain lost the keys to the sea chest.

[rynegold]

OoooooooooooooooooooooK!

cat man do and blue stocking have it.... I looked it up thanks to their tip and indeed its used by firemen to shut off sprinkler heads quickly so's they can get on with cleanup rescue etc.


thanks folks!!