# Can anyone identify this old gadget? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 29, 2019, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688 "2019-05-29T02:14:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/41 "2019-05-29T19:24:21Z")
You all are going above and beyond the call of duty and I thank you. Please don’t stop. I’ve invited Philliam to join in, as his sister is the curator of the mystery object. ---
**Author:** ![brossa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brossa/32/3040_2.png) [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/42 "2019-05-29T19:32:55Z")
I would vote that it’s a handle meant to attach to or reinforce some other item, like a whisk broom for a desk, or a handheld fan or flyswatter. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/43 "2019-05-29T19:52:06Z")
The key features that perhaps rule out a lot of guesses are: (1) It appears that there are no sharp edges, it’s just stamped out of a sheet; (2) The triangular holes surely have some purpose - they are at the pointy end so they don’t look decorative, and otherwise why bother on a cheap promo item. (1) doesn’t rule out some kind of scraping function, but doesn’t a zester need a sharp edge at the rim of the holes? If you ran that thing over a lemon rind nothing would happen. If you look at the pics of the superficially comparable antique zester above, the holes are much more than just punched holes, there are sharp edges. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/44 "2019-05-29T20:10:12Z")
> [@brossa](#): > > I would vote that it’s a handle meant to attach to or reinforce some other item, like a whisk broom for a desk, or a handheld fan or flyswatter. The whiskbroom handle idea gets my vote. It was a common image when running for office to talk about cleaning things up. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/45 "2019-05-29T20:11:13Z")
It looks like some kind of a blade holder to me. the triangular holes allow for quick connect. Little brad type pins on the blade fit into the wide part of the opening and lock into a corner. Notice that one of the points of each triangle are aligned to the center point of the radius of the curve so that when the blade is engaged in cutting the pins stay locked in. one of the saws in\*\* KarlGauss’\*\* link looks similar but has rivets instead of pins. mc ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/46 "2019-05-29T20:21:29Z")
An early attempt at making something like the three seashells. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/47 "2019-05-29T20:34:07Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > It looks like some kind of a blade holder to me. the triangular holes allow for quick connect… The drawback with this idea is that this seems like it would require compatibility with a specific design of blade, quite a specialized item. That doesn’t comport with it being a cheap promotional handout to voters. I think it must serve some mainstream everyday purpose so that anyone would be inclined hang it in their kitchen, keep in handy in their pocket, something like that. ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/48 "2019-05-29T20:35:01Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > Why would a coroner label his tools like this if only he and his staff would see them? I think we have to assume that this is a giveaway item for voters, something that people (in 1928?) would keep and use, and that would remind them of whom to vote for. It appears that it would be relatively cheap to produce, a single piece of metal that could be cut and shaped in two steps in a factory, and then labeled. It clearly has a handle end, and a business end. From the photos it doesn’t look sharp enough to cut anything, but it is possible that it was a useful shape to chip ice. If it goes as far back as 1928, could it have anything to do with chipping ice off of blocks of ice? I believe block ice delivery was still common at that time. Refrigerators were, I believe, not common until the 30’s. Was his father a trusted politician or businessman or otherwise in the public eye? Because if so this could be a punny way of saying he’s a chip off the old block. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/49 "2019-05-29T20:39:36Z")
If you google ‘surgical plate’, you get a load of vaguely similar-looking objects - long things with some holes in one end, and a curved section. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/50 "2019-05-29T20:44:42Z")
> [@Wallet](#): > > Could it be a strainer of some sort? Perhaps to fit in the spout of a pitcher to stop ice or pieces of fruit from going into a glass? Maybe liquor related, to go over the neck of a bottle to strain _?_ from being poured into a mug? I’m start to feel like this is the likely answer. The curved non-sharp edge makes sense against the side a cocktail shaker or a glass. The non-sharp holes have a clear purpose. If the 1928 reference is correct, it was during prohibition, so I wonder if there was a political angle that Mr Schwartz was anti-prohibition? Or it could be for a later election, with the alcohol theme appropriate for the end of prohibition. This kind of use makes good sense as a promo item. Here’s a somewhat comparable item: [https://www.barproducts.com/endurance-reg-stainless-steel-vintage-cocktail-strainer-and-spoon](https://www.barproducts.com/endurance-reg-stainless-steel-vintage-cocktail-strainer-and-spoon) ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/51 "2019-05-29T21:06:51Z")
Try googling “vintage julep strainer”. [https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=MvPuXLjxG9TG-gSonJv4Dg&q=vintage+julep+strainer](https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=MvPuXLjxG9TG-gSonJv4Dg&q=vintage+julep+strainer) So I’m suggesting that it’s a crude cheaply made version of this kind of cocktail strainer - an apt promotional item at or near the end of prohibition, when everyone would be free to buy booze and mix their own cocktails at home again. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/52 "2019-05-29T21:32:56Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Try googling “vintage julep strainer”. > [vintage julep strainer - Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=MvPuXLjxG9TG-gSonJv4Dg&q=vintage+julep+strainer) > > So I’m suggesting that it’s a crude cheaply made version of this kind of cocktail strainer - an apt promotional item at or near the end of prohibition, when everyone would be free to buy booze and mix their own cocktails at home again. Doesn’t look very efficient at that. It could be a sugar spoon for absinthe or something similar. Do we have any real date on this or when this guy could have been running for coroner? Also,[John Oliver did a piece on the coroner system vs. medical examiners.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnoMsftQPY8) This could be something modern. ---
**Author:** ![Grave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/71c47a/32.png) [@Grave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grave)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/53 "2019-05-29T22:08:26Z")
This [item](https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-zester-peeler-kitchen-503876557) is very similar to a zester my grandparents had - note the similarity of the row of triangle holes. I second the vote for it being some type of kitchen implement for zesting. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/54 "2019-05-29T22:10:11Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I think it’s a handle for a personal flyswatter. The holes held silk threads.WAG Did you look at Cruver’s patents? Because they have a couple for fly swatters. Also one for an “insect destroyer” :D. Handles don’t look like that though. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/55 "2019-05-29T22:25:42Z")
The coroner election was in 1928, per link upthread. It’s not a zester, as it is smooth on both sides where the triangle cut-outs are. Similar looking zesters have the metal from the cut-outs bent outward to cut into the fruit. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/56 "2019-05-29T22:42:38Z")
Could it possibly have been an object that was designed to be a mystery? Given the promotional nature of the printing on it, could the purpose have been to create something that people would pass around and ask “what the hell is this thing?” ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/57 "2019-05-29T22:49:27Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Could it possibly have been an object that was designed to be a mystery? Given the promotional nature of the printing on it, could the purpose have been to create something that people would pass around and ask “what the hell is this thing?” Fun idea. If that’s true, I’m voting Schwartz. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/58 "2019-05-29T23:11:42Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > The coroner election was in 1928, per link upthread. We can’t be sure that is the right Swartz: it is a big country–there can be more than two Swartzii that have ran for Coroner. (Yes, there have been [at least two](https://www.facebook.com/kevinswartzforcoroner/).) ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/59 "2019-05-29T23:17:37Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > (Yes, there have been [at least two](https://www.facebook.com/kevinswartzforcoroner/).) I guess we could post the pic to Kevin’s facebook page and ask him what it is. If he doesn’t know, that will rule him out. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2019, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/60 "2019-05-29T23:40:07Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > I guess we could post the pic to Kevin’s facebook page and ask him what it is. If he doesn’t know, that will rule him out. I’m not claiming that it is his, but that if there is Kevin and weird tool guy, then there could be a third that isn’t either of them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688.md?page=4)