Help with old brass thing-a-majig lots of pics.

[silverswede]

Dug these relics in a mini-dump on an old mining claim yesterday. Some are old car parts especially the hook is from the side hood panel on a early auto or pickup. What really has me stumped is the brass item that swivels on a balljoint in the middle. It's about 3 1/2" long the hole in the large end is 1/2" but ends at the top of the ball. The hole in the small end is 1/4" and is sealed by the shaft on the ball joint. The small knurled set screw holds that shaft in place. There are no threads on the inside or either holes. When assembled it somewhat looks like the top of a camera tripod but would have no way of locking in place. Any and all guesses welcomed, sarcasm and humor accepted.

Silverswede.

 

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[artemis moon]

the valve on the side makes me think it could be a piece of an old kerosine lantern

 

[wesfrye53]

Valve assembly used in a chemical lab? The swivel is a puzzler.

 

[silverswede]

Actually that little knob isn't for a valve, it just screws into that piece and makes contact with the stem of the ball right at that groove you can see in pic 2.

 

[silverswede]

OOps. that should have said picture 3.

 

[silverswede]

Yes, SWR there is a 1/2" dia. hole on that end of the piece. It goes in at a slight taper for about 1" and the bottom of the hole has a 1/4" hole that would access the top of the ball when it was screwed together. There's a small round piece of what I think is leather that inserts between the top of the ball and the bottom of that piece. Also should note that when assembled there is no way for liquid or gas to flow through it. The ball just makes it possible to rotate and swivel the two end parts.

 

[deepskyal]

I have a magnifying glass with a similar base to it and alligator clamps to hold an object.

Instead of the thumb screw, mine has wing nuts.

Maybe its some adjustable stand or mount for a mirror or something.

 

[Angelo]

I'm thinking Fly Tying clamp

Tony

 

[UnEarthed72]

I'm thinking Fly Tying clamp

Tony

I'm willing to guess that's exactly what it is just slightly older version of the one pictures give or take 20+ years.

 

[newbob]

Could it be a swivel nozzle for high pressure water for placer mining

 

[Monty]

Brass water hose fitting? Monty

 

[UnEarthed72]

The swivel ball end of it is solid brass with no holes in it,the longer threaded part was used to clamp it to the edge of a table.the little wheel thingy was an adjuster for different size hooks that aided in holding a hook tightly.Older fly vices were made this way so it pretty much rules out water nozzles.

 

[silverswede]

Think your on it UnEarthed, after loosening it up a little I found that the large knurled piece when tightend lock the angle in place on the ball. and if one end was secured the small wheel when tight would lock the rotation. Nice work everbody.

 

[UnEarthed72]

No problem,I tie flies for trout fishing and Ive seen so many older tying tools.Thanks to Angelo for the pic. by looking at it and then comparing it to your find It's pretty much an exact replica for the exception that the one in Angelo's pic is a modern version.

I'd google in...old brass fly tying vices....this way you may be able to date it

~Shawn~