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Identification, function and purpose?

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Tools and Hardware7140 of 9815Unknown Art Deco Coal ToolsBought this in Western Arkansas, sticker on bottom says 'from Vermont'
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    Posted 10 years ago

    GadgetInve…
    (4 items)

    Has anyone ever seen (or used!) anything like this? They are made out of bronze or brass, with about a 2" opening in the jaws. They do not lock, and the moveable arm is double pivoted, and not solidly coupled to the single jaw. Age unknown. Not sure if it is a specialty shop tool or a household item. Anyone know what its function is? Thanks!

    Unsolved Mystery

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    Comments

    1. walksoftly walksoftly, 10 years ago
      I wonder if these might have been used in a lab.
    2. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 10 years ago
      I feel another sleepless nite coming on! Maybe for horticulture for clamping & cutting? Is that a sharp cutter on the 3rd arm?
    3. GadgetInventor, 10 years ago
      @walksoftly: Hmm, that it might have a potential chemistry or medical lab use did cross my mind, but still no evidence of what that use is after hours of searching through google images.

      @blunderbuss2: Haha, me too! No, none of the edges are sharp or close enough to really cut.

      It's mystifying in the choice of material and the fact that it seems designed to not open wide like scissor tongs would. Also, the reason for the double pivot design defies me at this time. I expect that there has to be at least one person out there in the world who knows exactly what this thing was used for! It doesn't help not knowing the vintage either, though some assumptions could be made. Thanks for the replies and the love! :)
    4. walksoftly walksoftly, 10 years ago
      The only person that knew took the secret to his grave!
    5. rogerww, 10 years ago
      The fact that it's made out of brass tells me that it is used in an environment where iron or steel would rust, so it handles wet stuff.

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