Thread: Does anybody know what this is?

Is a spielbrocken,very common item.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Is a spielbrocken,very common item.

Google is something else ! Type in "spielbrocken" and go to images ........

Does it have a lip on the inside of the oval area.

It looks to me like it's designed to be used in a rolled motion. And would make me think it's a tool for removing the caps from either barrels or urns. The shape and design would be correct for this application as well. Since the rolled motion is in the same direction as the brass center section giving more strength. And brass is a pretty hard substance that takes a fair bit of abuse. Think more like an on the top beer bottle opener rather than the modern side lift variety.

Henry M Christensen, was a Danish/German immigrant to the US. In 1889 he set up H M Christensen, later H M Christensen & Co in Brockton. The sign on the factory read "H M Christensen. Manufacturers of Hand Made Straight Razors, Cutlery and Shoe Tools" although they also made tools for other trades, like farriers. The company was sold to Carl A.Bohlin and Carl D.Fhyr in 1905 but later town directories still recorded Henry M Christensen as a cutler and grinder, and he seems to have been very prolific in the straight razor world.



The company was first at 21 Grand but moved to 987 Montello, the private residence being further down the street. The name - H M Christensen was shortened to HMC Cutlery Co in 1916 and there is no further mention of the company after 1958.



I don't think that the tool has anything to do with cutlery - it looks more like a shoe makers tool. It would be nice to see the brass oval cleaned where the brass strap meets it, as there seems to be something there - possibly some writing or numbers on an inset metal, possibly iron. There appear to be more numbers on the inside of the oval, too.

There are plenty of trade catalogues for shoe manufacturing tools by H M Christensen, but they all seem to be in the Smithsonian or other depositories - none seem to be online.

Regards,
Neil.

Off the top of my head, I would say it looks like a saddlers or shoe makers pattern cutter, or as an outside bet a pastry marker or some sort of use in catering.

Hide scraper??

I wonder if it is part of the stamp used to emboss logos on the bottom of the sole of shoes. But then again, wouldn't the top be flattened by the hammering? It doesn't seem deep enough to be some sort of cobbler's heel press.