Identifying an old tool

[Nonaute]

Guess what this tool is designed for ?

(I'm not sure if this is the right section, if necessary move the topic to the right place )

Here is a tool, a multifunction in fact, since it has different tools, of different size (but identical shape), except for one which has a different shape from the others.

If it turns out everyone knows what it's for, for me, I didn't know anyway and I had to ask my father (who gave it to me shortly before his death) what it was for. He answered me, and I think he was correct, but who knows ?

Anyway, I got it back because I love old tools, especially those that are handmade, in once, by one man, for his personnal usage.

This tool was handmade, by a craftsman, for his daily needs. The handle is made of animal horn, riveted and cut by hand (in a somewhat crude way, we can see that it was a tool made by the craftsman for himself, he clearly favored practicality (hold in hand) over look.

The three tools of identical shape, are sharpened on the part that protrudes from what is not a blade (I indicated "sharpened here"). The last tool, of a different shape, is also sharpened (it is made of a kind of sheet of metal rolled up on itself, sharpened on its smaller side)

Here's the thing :

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[Frenchephaistos]

For horse hooves ?

[Nonaute]

That's what my father said to me, yes ! 

Bravo Mr Frenchephaistos

I think it's a pretty old thing, but much more, it comes from my father, so I'm happy to show it here

[IMR4198]

It's a fleam. For blood letting. Put a tourniquet around say a horse's neck. Tighten it until a vein pops up. Select an appropriate blade. Place it against the vein and tap the fleam with your other hand. Draw some blood. Release the tourniquet. Not done any more in veterinary work. Used on people many years ago. Best wishes. G

[IMR4198]

By the way, I seriously doubt this thing was hand made by some local person for his own use.  Likely bought from a surgical instrument supplier many years ago.  Might find it in some old catalogs.  Could date from 18th century.  Precision made considering the year.  A doctor, or vet, would never handle the blades.  The blades were opened by tapping or by using the little nail protrusion on the ends.  Generally sterilized by a flame or maybe alcohol.   G

[Nonaute]

Thank you very, VERY much ! 

I LOVE this forum ! Realize ? My father gave me a tool (he died in 2016), I've always thought that it was a tool for working on horse hooves, and in a couple of hours, I've got the answer, and some precisions about the making of this tool !

[Frenchephaistos]

Happy to have been wrong, as I learned something in the process !

[Nonaute]

Happy to have been wrong, as I learned something in the process !

I Never Lose, I Either Win Or Learn – Nelson Mandela

Just as me, you learned something

Edit :

Here is the confirmation of Gary's answer (link to a french site, describing the tool) :

https://www.arcoma.fr/fr/outils-d-antan/133-par-metiers/metiers-du-fer-et-des-metaux/marechal-ferrant-veterinaire/195-marechal-ferrant-veterinaire-5-feu-saignee-lavement-castration

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