Comments on: In the Archives: A Postmaster’s Gamble

By: Jim Rees

Jim Rees — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:04:52 +0000

Could be kanji or Chinese. A fan?

By: Laura Bien

Laura Bien — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:56:44 +0000

Jim: There are indeed “letters” stamped along the side of this article. I wonder what language they are from? “Snuff” is closer than you might think.

By: cosmonıcan

cosmonıcan — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:03:55 +0000

I’m kinda’ leaning towards a door stop, or maybe a meat tenderizer? Easier than that stick of dynamite / bucket of water combo I mentioned once.

By: Jim Rees

Jim Rees — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:17:59 +0000

At first glance it looks like it’s used for prying or wedging something. Snuff box opener? But the “handle” end doesn’t really look like a handle, it looks functional.

There is something stamped on the side of it, maybe letters.

By: Laura Bien

Laura Bien — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:55:19 +0000

Dave: It certainly looks like an old RR spike, to be sure. But perhaps this object has a more sinister use.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:23:11 +0000

I’m guessing the mystery object is some type of old railroad tool. Used to lay track or prep railroad timber. Just a remote guess though.

By: Laura Bien

Laura Bien — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:42:20 +0000

Like the Slap-Chop, the no-mess bacon cooker, or the Banana Peeler ("Pops the top, no mess, no mush!" Interesting guess...it does look like it means business...and turns out it does!

By: abc

abc — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 21:06:19 +0000

I think Alton Brown refers to those things as single-taskers, or something like that.

So I looked again, and this is a guess but… it looks like it belongs on a construction site more than in your Victorian dining room so I am going to say it is a wedge to hold bricks apart while crafting an arch.

By: Laura Bien

Laura Bien — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:32:51 +0000

Hi ABC, no, to my knowledge (according to what I was told) this is not used in conjunction with another tool. Your first comment reminds me of all of the ridiculously/wonderfully specialized utensils there used to be among wealthier Victorian-era folk. Bon bon scoop, fish slicer, crumbers, butter pick, mustard spoon, egg spoon, grape scissors, pickle castor, tomato server, cheese scoop, asparagus fork, lettuce fork, berry fork, fish fork, melon fork, bacon fork (yes, a fork for bacon only)....here are more by Victorian-era silvermaker Reed & Barton. Perfect site for fitting out your table if you don't mind paying $50 per piece.

By: abc

abc — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:20:00 +0000

Its a wedge for splitting marshmallows.

Seriously I have no idea. Neither side appears to be hand-friendly and neither side appears to want to be struck by a hammer. I am stumped. Laura, is this to be used in conjunction with another tool? (Yes, that’s the same as asking for a hint.) Don’t answer though as I would like to see if someone will get this without help