Something kind of unusual

[stressmaster5000]

Not really sure of this tool and its description. Anyone know more about it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-ANTIQUE-STELLA-GADGET-TOOL-KNIFE-POCKET-OLD-KNIVES_W0QQitemZ320472085593QQcmdZViewItemQQssPageNameZRSS:B:SRCH:US:101

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That is an odd one

But not without charm though

[Zed]

hhmm no clue but found this by depose as well,

paul

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Vintage-Courvoisier-Cognac-Corkscrew%2FKnife-etc-France_W0QQitemZ150386658966QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20091107?IMSfp=TL091107151001r2180

[J-sews]

I've seen the tapered square posts referred to as "carriage keys", as in a horse and carriage. Not sure what part of the carriage they actually used them on though.  (I'm quite certain it is not a doorknob tool, as the seller suggests)



The Brevete and Depose markings on French-made items can be loosely translated as "Patent Pending."

[stressmaster5000]

I've seen the tapered square posts referred to as "carriage keys", as in a horse and carriage. Not sure what part of the carriage they actually used them on though.  (I'm quite certain it is not a doorknob tool, as the seller suggests)



The Brevete and Depose markings on French-made items can be loosely translated as "Patent Pending."

Thanks Bob, makes sense. I too doubted the sellers idea of what it was for. I thought it might be some kind of key as well and maybe the square hole is its counterpart, allowing you to use it for tightening something.

[XXet]

I believe it is a wheel lock tool for a musket..... a wheel lock musket has a rotating wheel that rotates as a flint is held in place over it and it is wound up
and released by the trigger it has all the parts needed the square for the wheel lock the blade to cut clothe for the patch and a square to tighten the flint.....

[sparky415]

I worked with an old painter a few years ago and he used something a bit like that
(I have a feeling he was from South Africa) 
he explained that if you were painting doors you would remove the handle which would leave either a square socket or shaft
So with one of these with in your pocket you can still open the door and not miss your tea break
But the Musket tool sounds a lot cooler 

[Neil]

I've not seen musket tools with a shaft like that, only flat versions.  That said I don't go around looking at muskets so what do I know

I like the tea break saving theory   It does make sense though   Irritatingly it also reminds me I've got to fix the lock on the bathroom door, boring

[J-sews]

I've not seen musket tools with a shaft like that, only flat versions.  That said I don't go around looking at muskets so what do I know

I like the tea break saving theory   It does make sense though   Irritatingly it also reminds me I've got to fix the lock on the bathroom door, boring

Sounds like a SAKtivity opportunity

[Neil]

Too late.  I did take the outside cover off with a DAK as well

[SlackOne]

If that thing is a doorknob tool, it would have proven handy for me a few times.  My wife's old house and my inlaw's current house all had several old doorknobs with the square shafts, and having a tool to turn the innards while the knobs were off would have saved me some headaches

[nuphoria]

It's certainly one of the more interesting tools we've seen... doors are a pain when working on them so if that's it's purpose, it's very useful!

[ausjulius]

it does appear to be a  tool for removing  door handles...
in europe, germany and the lowlands and france these were common in the past..