# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/101 "2019-05-31T04:54:10Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > Yeah, it looks like most have a little notch in them and some type of tapping hammer. The notch is for pulling nails. I can see the triangular holes work for this, if they’re big enough to get the nailhead through. (But why have four of them?) I rather like this cigar box opener idea. Clever! ---
**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 31, 2019, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/102 "2019-05-31T05:50:28Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Did you use a magnet to see if it was made of steel? Despite the 1928 date for the election of some coroner named Schwartz it looks more modern to me. Didn’t try a magnet but it felt like steel. Definitely not aluminum. > [@TroutMan](#): > > Yeah, this. It’s in remarkably good shape for something from 1928. And the few metal election campaign tchotchkes I could find from that time period were engraved. The text on this just doesn’t look 90 years old. > OP, are you able to make any guesses about a possible upper and lower bound for the age? Bearing in mind that my credentials consist solely of having idly glanced at lots of old-timey-things in junk and antique stores, my impression is that it could be 1920’s if it had been pretty much unused, stashed in a drawer or something. But I wouldn’t dismiss your opinion. And my learned gut feeling is that it’s 1940’s at the latest. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/103 "2019-05-31T05:56:27Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > I had a new idea. After thinking about it more, I don’t like it, but I’m going to throw it out anyway. > > It’s the handle of a fan. The triangular holes were where the slats attached to the handle, but the slats are long gone. Maybe there was a piece of wood in the handle too – where the metal wraps around the back it looks like it could be enclosing a piece of wood. These fans could have been handed out in the summer before the election. > > I’m not crazy about this theory because – I’ve never seen a fan with this kind of design; it seems unnecessarily complicated compared to a normal fan with slats pinned at one end. And it seems kind of odd for a fan to have that big hanging hole or whatever it is at the end of the handle. I don’t buy it because why have differently sized holes to attach the fan to? A nail puller sounds more plausible, but they usually are open so you can slip it around the nailhead without getting it over the nailhead. I thought maybe a positioning tool for nailing - like nailing a coffin shut - except that then you can’t get the tool out. Maybe a nail hole starter? I could use one of them. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/104 "2019-05-31T07:46:44Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > My guess is this is an item geared for men. It may even have been geared for a specific occupation, such as physicians, whose numbers may have been small, but whose influence was great. > > I hereby rescind my earlier guess of icebox scraper. Whereas mine of “frozen hobo scraper” is looking up! ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/105 "2019-05-31T09:58:12Z")
I think its a pizza cutter, low tech version. You have to slide this one, cause they hadn’t invented the wheel yet.:rolleyes:😃 ---
**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 31, 2019, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/106 "2019-05-31T12:28:46Z")
I’ll toss out avocado peeler. There isn’t one exactly like it in [these images](https://www.google.com/search?q=avocado+peeler&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS847US847&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjAzIrX4MXiAhWLo1kKHYmbASgQ_AUIDygC), but a number of them have that slightly curved shape. It doesn’t seem quite right, but I’m following the idea that it’s some kind of culinary tool. I don’t see how it could be useful as a cigar box opener. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/107 "2019-05-31T13:18:26Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Didn’t try a magnet but it felt like steel. Definitely not aluminum. I’m curious about the heft of the item. Was it sturdy enough to be, lets say a bottle opener, or is it lightweight sheet metal that would bend hopelessly if you tried? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/108 "2019-05-31T13:34:50Z")
New idea; it doesn’t do anything but that’s the point. Every person given one of them will spend as much time wondering what it’s used for as we did, and thereby will surely remember the candidate’s name. (More so than when they’re given a stupid and only slightly useful tchotchke.) ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/109 "2019-05-31T14:38:16Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Didn’t try a magnet but it felt like steel. Definitely not > > > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > > > I’m curious about the heft of the item. Was it sturdy enough to be, lets say a bottle opener, or is it lightweight sheet metal that would bend hopelessly if you tried? Me too. Also a quick check with a magnet would be valuable along with whether it is painted on just one side (as it appears in the photos) OP, may I post this to reddit for you? ---
**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 31, 2019, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/110 "2019-05-31T14:42:54Z")
> [@Ignatz](#): > > Get with the times! Kevin ran in 2012. > > [Friends of Kevin Swartz for Cooper County Coroner](https://www.facebook.com/kevinswartzforcoroner) Get with the **spelling**! Not the same name. :smack: ---
**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 31, 2019, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/111 "2019-05-31T19:03:07Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Me too. Also a quick check with a magnet would be valuable along with whether it is painted on just one side (as it appears in the photos) > > OP, may I post this to reddit for you? Sure. Give us the link afterwards, ok? ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/112 "2019-05-31T19:07:33Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Sure. Give us the link afterwards, ok? Will do but would like to be able to describe with magnet/paint questions. ---
**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 31, 2019, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/113 "2019-05-31T19:17:01Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > I’m curious about the heft of the item. Was it sturdy enough to be, lets say a bottle opener, or is it lightweight sheet metal that would bend hopelessly if you tried? Lightweight. The curator of the curio, who read this thread yesterday afternoon, tells me it’s probably not strong enough to open a bottle, definitly not a can opener. She finds herself leaning toward ice scraper of some sort, and enjoyed the macabre coroner tool suggestions. I’ll add that it _might_ be capable of pulling a tack out of very soft wood. > [@jasg](#): > > Me too. Also a quick check with a magnet would be valuable along with whether it is painted on just one side (as it appears in the photos) Painted one side only. ---
**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 31, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/114 "2019-05-31T19:18:33Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Will do but would like to be able to describe with magnet/paint questions. I’ll ask the curator to give it a try. ---
**Author:** ![Tomyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@Tomyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tomyros)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2019, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/115 "2019-06-01T00:05:58Z")
I have joined to identify the mysterious object. The fact that I have and still use mine indicates that I am not of the computer age, so forgive my blunderings. You are so close in many posts and the coroner theory led to all sorts of creative thinking. It is a butter curler. Back before refrigerators, you didn’t buy neatly wrapped units of butter but a weighed slab. This was kept in the cool room, but it looked pretty uncouth just serving a lump of butter in a dish to family and friends. To make curls you scrape across the surface of the butter which automatically forms a curl. They can be plain using one side of the tool or “striped” which uses that grater side. The butter was the last thing to go on the table and ’ ladies ’ noticed how tight and neat the curls were. I use it to make fancy Nutella and peanut butter breads for parties. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2019, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/116 "2019-06-01T00:33:42Z")
Makes as much sense as anything else in the thread I guess ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2019, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/117 "2019-06-01T00:56:42Z")
> [@Tomyros](#): > > I have joined to identify the mysterious object. The fact that I have and still use mine indicates that I am not of the computer age, so forgive my blunderings. Welcome to the Dope. No blundering, you fought ignorance with your first post! I guess this is the modern equivalent at [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/MSOO-Butter-Grating-Spreader-Stainless/dp/B07SD54DMZ/ref=sr_1_62?crid=2CSDWUA0HV46H&keywords=butter+curler&qid=155935023). ---
**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:** [June 1, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/118 "2019-06-01T01:05:25Z")
> [@Tomyros](#): > > I have joined to identify the mysterious object. The fact that I have and still use mine indicates that I am not of the computer age, so forgive my blunderings. Nailed it with your first post! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2019, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/119 "2019-06-01T01:06:57Z")
After looking at dozens of pictures of butter curlers, there is enough variety that makes it a plausible candidate. That being said, I saw no butter curlers that looked just like the one in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2019, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688/120 "2019-06-01T01:31:31Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > After looking at dozens of pictures of butter curlers, there is enough variety that makes it a plausible candidate. That being said, I saw no butter curlers that looked just like the one in the OP. Nor did I, but remember that this was a free, perhaps 90 year old campaign freebie. Tomyros said they had one that was still in use. I assume it is similar, if not identical to the one in the OP. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-identify-this-old-gadget/834688.md?page=7)