I have no idea what this is

[BillZ]

Found it in my regular hunting spot that was inhabited in the 40's.
It's roughly the size of a pocket knife. Note that there are 2 pieces that are attached by the loop at the end. What has me really puzzled is the slit on the one piece.

[007tallguy]

is it made of brass? all i can say is that it does look familiar. i just can't quite place it.....

[BillZ]

Originally Posted by 007tallguy

is it made of brass? all i can say is that it does look familiar. i just can't quite place it.....

I'm not exactly sure what it's made of. Some sort of copper alloy. The metal appears to be similar to a copper penny.

[Longhair]

Looks almost like a feeler guage.

[rivvers]

does it open up like a knife? it looks like it, or is it solid?

[Longhair]

Maybe a (tobacco) pipe reamer/tamper? Seems to me I remember my dad having something like it.

[BillZ]

Originally Posted by rivvers

does it open up like a knife? it looks like it, or is it solid?

The 2 pieces move independently and are attached only by the loop at the end. I sprayed some WD-40 on it to get the pieces to move. Notice how the slit on the one piece gradually gets deeper until it is all the way through.

I am thoroughly confused on this one.

More pics:

[Backwash]

Very interesting. I'm Stumped. Can't wait to see what it is myself.

[metaladdict]

A piece of good scrap metal

[David in DC]

The angle at the end and the square opening (which would be used for crown caps) brings a can opener to mind.

[BillZ]

Originally Posted by David in DC

The angle at the end and the square opening (which would be used for crown caps) brings a can opener to mind.

I thought about a can opener also but no sharp edges on it for cutting a can lid. I thought it looked very similar in design to the pocket knife that leecrossen posted in this section a few days ago. The loop at the end looks the same.
http://metaldetectingforum.com/showthread.php?t=95493

His post reminded me of my piece which I dug about a month ago.

[David in DC]

Yeah, I did a bit more research (read: I went to Wikipedia) and there is an arcticle about can openers and nothing like that was shown.

[Nic_West_Texas]

It looks like some sort of cutting tool. You slide something into the slit.. then work it like scissors.

[allank]

maybe an old bicycle wrench and the L shape is for tube replacement or maybe a welders tool and the square opening is for the gas valve ? interesting, I have seen pipe tampers shaped close to that but the square hole is different

[Gauntlet]

No idea really, but the thing that keeps popping into my mind is an old hanging scale.....with all its "guts" missing.

[Chad]

My first thought was a hanging scale also.....sure looks it to me.

[BillZ]

C'mon, somebody here should be able to figure it out.
I literally have no clue what it is and it's driving me crazy!

[allank]

I keep looking at it lol , the best I can figure is that when opened up it allowed something to fit into the square and slid up the narrow slot and when closed it kept them in place.

[Me&MyBoy]

This thing has me totally baffled (and I've been thinking about it a few days). I keep trying to think about farm equipment, bike repair tools, camping stuff, etc., and just can't get it. If this post fades away, bump it in a few weeks because you never know who might come along and be able to identify it.

[bigdad75]

Originally Posted by billz

found it in my regular hunting spot that was inhabited in the 40's.
It's roughly the size of a pocket knife. Note that there are 2 pieces that are attached by the loop at the end. What has me really puzzled is the slit on the one piece.

looks like an old bottle oppener!!??