Another what is it?....

[IMERC]

Does anybuddy know what this is?..
these two pictures is all I have..



 

 

[Hilltop366]

A folding gimlet?

[maple flats]

Maybe for making holes in heavy leather in order to stitch it.

[terrifictimbersllc]

Could it be for making holes in heavy leather? Harnesses?  Drill a hole with the gimlet and make it bigger with the pointed punch.

[Magicman]

That is a shop woodworking tool.  The leather case is for storage and not for wearing. 

I am guessing but it could have been used in the 1800's for drilling holes for hand whittled dowels that were driven through mortise & tendon joints.  I am curious as to what the knurled brass knob held?


 
Here is an old fireplace piece that I used at the Cabin.


 
During the "destruction" portion of the rebuild.


 
The 16" mortise & tendon joints were secured with dowels.


 
Finished.

[moodnacreek]

It looks you would screw it in a tree and then attach a ground wire !

[lxskllr]

Looks hard to use. That's a big weighted offset handle for such a small drill. Looks like it would be hard to keep straight.

[Peter Drouin]

I'm in the leather bunch. :D :D

[JV]

Are there any makers marks on the tool?  The brass nut suggests that something else attached to it or it attached to another piece.  The leather case to me indicates that it was possibly also used outside of a shop.  I collect antique tools and haven't seen anything like it.  It definitely is a curiosity.  I'll have to dig through some books.

[Resonator]

Maybe an antique combination corkscrew and ice pick?  

[Magicman]

I am on my phone and can't do a link but Google "gimlet tool".

[Hilltop366]

For getting a sample of something in wooden barrel.

Drill a tapered hole with the gimlet, temporary plug with the pointy end after the sample has been taken then tap in a plug with the hammer end. ??

[IMERC]

WOW!
what a fine batch of responses.
thanks...

am guessing but it could have been used in the 1800's for drilling holes for hand whittled dowels that were driven through mortise & tendon joints. I am curious as to what the knurled brass knob held?

this is what I thought...
the take a sample makes sense...
in a different direction ... Cannoneer's  Touch-hole cleaning tool?

what ever it is I can't find an answer...

[IMERC]

1... Are there any makers marks on the tool?
2...The brass nut suggests that something else attached to it or it attached to another piece.
3...The leather case to me indicates that it was possibly also used outside of a shop.

1... no..
2... lock for the gimlet?..
3... Maybe the owner did the case independent of the tool...

thanks for looking guys..

[low_48]

I'm thinking early multi-tool. Pick, gimlet for drilling holes, maybe hammer head, and then possible way to mount other tools with the brass nut and slot?

[Don P]

I was thinking line holder. Gimlet a small hole, stick in the pick and then tie a line under the knurled nut, but make no sense compared to a nail. The end with the nut looks mushroomed from being used as a hammer. Not a clue.

[btulloh]

It's for starting holes in Unicorn horns.



I hope we find out what it's for.  It's an interesting tool.  I haven't been able to dig anything up that looks like it.

[sharp edge]

I'm thinking along the lines of a tool used to splice wire rope.

SE

[JV]

I'm not having any luck so far.  I'm wondering if it isn't a one off user made tool.  The tip of the "handle" looks larger than the gimlet.  The tip could be a punch but could be used as a pivot point for something attached to the tool.  Or it could be an old punch used to make the tool.  Definite head scratcher.

[IMERC]

Definite head scratcher.

that it is...