Mystery object

[Cobs]

A friend bought this for a puond out of curiosity at a car boot sale - we've no idea what it's for. It's got a long spike attached to a wooden handle via a spring. When you push the handle it opens the green cover - wondered if it might be something to do with upholstery - anyone any ideas?

 

[pedrobedro]

It's a tool for getting pound coins out of people's pockets at car boots It looks like a dandelion digging tool.

 

[chunkolini]

It's a grimpling iron.

 

[Wozzaaah]

It's what they use in hospitals to get swarf out of your eyes!

 

[bigbadbugga]

whatever it is it looks lethal.

 

[Robotstar5]

Torturers shoe horn?

 

[awemawson]

For repairing trawler fishing nets - where was the boot sale, near the coast?

 

[brightspark]

For repairing trawler fishing nets - where was the boot sale, near the coast?

that sounds a bit fishy

 

[Wedg1e]

Known in the medical profession as a pokey-stick. Can't remember the Latin term, stickius pokimuff or something... it's used in the initial stages of a cervical smear test

 

[Springerdinger]

Its Multi purpose ear/nose and pile picker from "Ronco" with automatic nostril flarer
note the wider gigling pin in the shaft to prevent eye watering over insertion.

 

[Cobs]

all very interesting suggestions - though I fear we're no nearer.................

 

[Shox Dr]

I've seen the painted bit on something else. Can't think what it is though

 

[Springerdinger]

My serious guess
I think its was used for jewellery making as a type of bradle/ punch
the ergonomic plastic bit added for extra comfort when making multiple impressions in thin metals like sterling silver when doing detailed work

 

[Cobs]

Sorry the pic was taken on a phone so not good quality and of course no indication of size. The overall length is about the same a bread knife so a bit big for jewellery. The spike is a serious bit of kit, strong enough to do wire splicing and the green (pressed metal) cover looks like it's designed to force something apart when the wooden handle is pushed - though not sure what. Could be for large rope splicing but never seen anything similar - obviously not a regular bit of engineering kit!

 

[bert]

it looks like some kind of splicing tool to me.

 

[Wedg1e]

I showed it round at work and the best suggestion was that we get hold of one and see if it's strong enough to prise the boss's wallet open...

 

[rocketron]

Our rigger at work reckons its a "fid", for splicing multiplat rope?

 

[s410man]

looks like a good centre punch

 

[the snooper]

looks like a tool for removing a pikeys tongue or other bits when theyve done you wrong

 

[sean-1]

I think the proper name is an "auto prodder" its used for making rag rugs.