Posted 9 years ago
gokevinb
(2 items)
No one seems to know what this item is. It is about 3 foot long with a crank handle. Turning the handle adjust the opposite end to wider or narrower. Does anyone know what this is and what it might be worth?
A lift jack.
For lifting what? Doesn't seem like it would support much weight. Thank you for your help.
An empty barrel
I doubt very much if this tool is meant for any heavy lifting "per say". I think what you have is an expander, or spreader tool, used to open up light weight material, such as crushed metal A/C ducting, as just an example. {Just my guess}.
PS: While it may look like an old tripod bumper jack at first glance, it is not one.
How about an animal skin stretcher?
I thought about the animal skin stretcher, but there is no evidence of blood or animal fats on the wood. Even the cloth across the metal cover of the screw jack is clean.
I would bet the worn area on the screw cover was made by the fingers of a large hand, holding it, when in operation. How far do the bottom legs expand? And how close to they retract?
I found this stretcher tool, which has the same basic design principal of your tool. "Just more food for thought"!.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mallory-Metal-Calf-Instep-Riding-Boot-Shaft-Stretcher-Cast-Aluminum-NEW-/331612622078?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d35a70cfe
The boot stretcher is certainly a similar looking device. This one is long enough it would fit the length of a pants leg.
It closes to about 5" and opens to about 18" when fully extended.