Posted 10 years ago
Katybird
(1 item)
Mystery tool from a living history museum. I keep getting asked what it is. Heavy iron with wood handles. Inner surfaces flat, not concave. Outer surface half orb, solid not hollow. Does anyone have a clue what this is/used for?
what size is it
check out link below it looks like a hairdressers pinching iron in the book
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hairstyles-Book-Flapper-Postiche-Wigs-Hairpieces-c1930s-/200650908192
These are used for straightening curly hair!
I'd go with some sort of heat sink pliers/tongs:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/103759-late-1800-or-early-1900-tool
this looks like one of these tools that was originally made for doing a certain job and then others adopted for use in other trades as they evolved in time i have read the link tallcakes put up and plenty of room for thought as what it is, but im sticking with my original post as it is printed in cataloge from the time and wig making is probably older than other trades mentioned that used it
I agree with jack.
These show up on CW regularly & there is always the same debate.
As you can se from my hand, the length is about the size of a large pair of dressmakers shears. The diameter of the inner flat surface is about 1 inch. It does look very much like the hair dressers pinching iron posted by jacko6. I guess I'll go with that. Would hate to have that used on my head!
Reminds me of a Juice pressing tool