# Help me identify this tool, please. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 17, 2003, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116 "2003-01-17T00:47:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/121 "2003-01-24T23:12:09Z")
Maybe these folks can help: World O’ Tools Museum Hunter M. Pilkinton 2431 Hwy. 13 So. Waverly, TN 37185 931-296-3218 Always interested in old or odd mechanical tools; also related books and catalogs ---
**Author:** ![Danalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2003, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/122 "2003-01-24T23:33:25Z")
If one held single, live wire with this tool, continuing to exert force on the handles, then cut the wire; the ends would separate, greatly reducing or prevent sparking. Might be useful for telegraph wire splicing. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/123 "2003-01-25T01:18:33Z")
I like **racer72** ’s old-timer suggestion - Luger tool makes the most sense to me in light of the new information that DRP can be traced to German WWII militaria. Unfortunately it appears that Lugers came originally with a smaller [tool](http://www.sarcoinc.com/feat38.html) designed specifically for that purpose. Makes sense - it would certainly have been easier to carry that smaller chuck-key looking thing in the field to quickly repair your service pistol. But, I’d say for sure that it’s a tool designed specifically for some sort of German WWII piece of machinery. ---
**Author:** ![Doc\_Nickel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@Doc\_Nickel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doc_Nickel)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/124 "2003-01-25T02:46:47Z")
Actually, the primary reason for the Luger tool was in recharging the magazine. The Luger had a _very_ strong magazine spring, to ensure feeding given the rather high bolt (breechblock) cycle times. You put the tool over the “botton” on the magazine follower and used your thumb to pull down, taking some of the strain off while you slid another cartridge in. The other end worked as a screwdriver for removing the grips and/or adjusting the sights, of you had an “artillery” model. Whole different animal from the pliers, and for an entirely different purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Skott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/125 "2003-01-25T05:15:02Z")
My wife took one look at it and said that it’s certainly a penile enhancement device, since they obviously didn’t have enough room for the beginning “E” on the [one side](http://jjj.image.pbase.com/u8/mhendo/upload/10978600.tool3.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![femtosecond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@femtosecond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femtosecond)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/126 "2003-01-25T14:01:24Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Dooku_ > **[…] in light of the new information that DRP can be traced to German WWII militaria.** Not necessarily. It could be from the 1933-1945 period, but it as well may be not. The Deutsche Reichspost existed since 1817. ---
**Author:** ![Gutza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7feea3/32.png) [@Gutza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gutza)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/127 "2003-01-25T16:51:46Z")
This tool is used to install/remove the springs on the jaws of an identical tool - unfortunately you only have one, so you can’t test it. It’s the world’s first experiment with recursive algorythms. Now seriously, I think Danalan’s suggestion does indeed make sense - you should try measuring the distance between the jaws in both positions, and make sure you take a precise measurement because you’ll have to convert it to metric values afterwards (or maybe buy a metric ruler if available). I’d also go with the mechanical suggestion for a particular purpose (i.e. one single particular operation for one single type of mechanical part assembly), but another idea sprang to mind afterwards - although improbable, maybe it could help someone else make some connection. If the measurements you take will prove that the metric values are round values (e.g. 30 mm closed jaws, 35 mm open jaws) then maybe it could be a more generic tool for spring stretching. Also, judging by image tool6, it seems that the manufacturer took the extra step of shaping the “tip” of the jaws (don’t know any better word, I’m not a native English speaker, but I hope you understand what I mean). That shape suggests to me that the jaws are meant to easily fit into a round shape (inner side of jaw tip), while the flat outer side of the jaw is left flat in order to provide a reasonably flat contact surface with the assembly it’s meant for the springy thig to be installed on. The care to design the shape described above for a tool which looks rather roughly designed otherwise pretty much rules out non-precision operations such as leather manufacturing, castration and whatnot, leaving the generic area of mechanical assembly. Cars, bikes, planes or guns - that we won’t know until someone finds an uncle who’s got a neighbour whos granpa used one of these. ---
**Author:** ![Edwardina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Edwardina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edwardina)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/128 "2003-01-25T20:17:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Skott \* > \*\*My wife took one look at it and said that it’s certainly a penile enhancement device, since they obviously didn’t have enough room for the beginning “E” on the [one side](http://jjj.image.pbase.com/u8/mhendo/upload/10978600.tool3.jpg). \*\* “E” … NORM-MESS Buwhahahahahahahahahahahaha! ---
**Author:** ![lllamamom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b77776/32.png) [@lllamamom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lllamamom)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/129 "2003-01-25T23:03:18Z")
🙂 It’s a tool used for handling barbed wire fencing–hence the spacing of the “jaws”. The jaws aren’t round, because barbed wire, at least some of the stuff out west, is more “square” than round. Have fun with it!;j ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/130 "2003-01-25T23:15:18Z")
oh boy, I sure hope not. A barbed wire fence installing hand tool, from Germany in the 1930’s ??? I sure hope not. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/131 "2003-01-25T23:26:18Z")
It’s not for barbed wire fencing. For stringing barbed wire you use a “fence block” - a block and tackle arrangement allowing you to put tension on the wire, and fencing pliers which look nothing like these things - they’re usually built heavy enough to use as a hammer to drive staples into the posts, allow you to grasp staples in the jaws and pull them out in quasi-claw hammer fashion, and have cutters for snipping the wire. [Here](http://shop.store.yahoo.com/oaklandfarmerssupply/tool1000.html) is a picture. ---
**Author:** ![Greensabre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Greensabre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greensabre)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/132 "2003-01-26T01:26:27Z")
“Norm-mess” I happen to know a guy named “Norman Messner” … I’ll have to talk to the guy 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/133 "2003-01-26T02:08:28Z")
Father says it’s a spring stretcher, most likely for working on brakes. The pegs insert themselves within the coils of a spring on a car’s brakes and it stretches the spring just enough to allow safe removal of the spring. To put proper persepctive on the source, ‘Father’ is 58 and spent a career working in hydraulics, machine tools, and the like. It looks like it’d be JUST the right size to remove the parking brake adjustment spring on a drum brake. ---
**Author:** ![Zagadka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zagadka/32/7272_2.png) [@Zagadka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zagadka)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/134 "2003-01-26T02:10:59Z")
I’m _amazed_ at how long this thread is… Interesting, though. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Truth\_Seeker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5fc32e/32.png) [@Truth\_Seeker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truth_Seeker)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/135 "2003-01-26T03:01:17Z")
**mhendo** Let me suggest a different tack. Try putting all the information you have together and try reasoning backwards. 1. It is from pre-1945 Germany. 2. It is a specialty tool, not a general purpose tool and was designed to do a particular task in a specific situation. The odds are it was designed to be used to repair some specific machine. 3. It was used by the Deutsche Reichspost. While this was the German post office, it was also _the German phone company._ Whatever this is, this has got to be highly significant. 4. Somehow, it ended up in Baltimore, not too far from Washington D.C. This lets out things like a barbed wire or a gun tool. The question really is, then, what machine would someone have wanted to get from the pre-1945 German post office (along with the tools to repair it) and bring to the D.C. area? > [@](#): > > \*\*Of note is that the Deutsche Reichspost was able to break the scrambled voice transmission of the American-British transatlantic telephone system. Specifically, German technical experts built a de-scrambling device, set up shop in the town of Noordwijk in the Netherlands and by 1940/1941, were (routinely) listening to classified telephone conversations between U.S. President Roosevelt and PM Churchill. By 1944, the Germans had to relocate their telephone intercept facility from the Netherlands to Bavaria . . . \*\* [Cite](http://www.feldgrau.com/code.html) were, one assumes, it was again disassembled at the end of the war and shipped back to the States, as was virtually every other piece of German military technology that the U.S. could lay its hands on. Has the NSA had a garage sale lately? ---
**Author:** ![OwenKL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e47774/32.png) [@OwenKL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OwenKL)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/136 "2003-01-26T13:09:20Z")
GAD! That castrator thingie caught me by surprise, too!:eek: Brought back memories of my vasectomy in all its painful glory! :eek: :eek: Anywho, I think we’ve been showing our biases by ignoring references to trains here. My opinion is it’s a tool for train conductors, used to grab two-part tickets and pull them apart in a consistent manner. Well, really, the clip installer seems most likely, but I’d say usage on a train or maybe a mail plane is more likely than a car, gun, or military plane. ---
**Author:** ![CRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@CRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CRK)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/137 "2003-01-26T15:25:28Z")
My sugestions are from another board I posted this on "My Dad used to have one of those. He used it to remove rings from hogs noses. Might be German. Seems I remember him saying he got it when he was in the WWII… Its used in really old washer machines. The belt driven ones. My dad has one in the garage, I will ask him when he gets back " The above are from [GO HERE](http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=111182) ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/138 "2003-01-27T03:30:03Z")
It’s a device for extracting dollar bills from a sucker’s wallet 😛 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/139 "2003-01-27T08:03:24Z")
Dear mhendo, It looks as if you’ve gotten ahold of a Detroit Regional Power (now Edison) fuse/breaker puller. The pincers help grip an industrial, old-fashioned box-type Square D fuse panel. ---
**Author:** ![bcullman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bcullman/32/8207_2.png) [@bcullman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bcullman)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116/140 "2003-01-27T08:12:59Z")
"Dear mhendo, It looks as if you’ve gotten ahold of a Detroit Regional Power (now Edison) fuse/breaker puller. The pincers help grip an industrial, old-fashioned box-type Square D fuse panel." Nice first post, Mr. B [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-tool-please/149116.md?page=8)