What is this item?

[galenwhisper]

  Got this at an auction a few days ago, was cheap, made me curious. I've asked around, no one knows for sure what it is. Seems to be 3-3.5 inches long. Big enough around to fit around a wine bottle neck and still have room. Metal spikes on the inside, very sharp. All the same length. Chipping in places, metal but silver plated. Light to medium body, nothing to hard. Any ideas?

[rockandrollrods]

A nut cracker?

[sapphire]

Welcome to the forum galenwhisper!

I know I shouldn't try to guess anything at this hour but here goes......

It fits around a wine bottle neck with room to spare so it's too large to be used to turn a wine cork.
Did they seal any other larger mouth jars with corks?

A ritzy 'tool' for holding hard boiled/pickled eggs at the dinner table?

Something to grasp a thick hank of hair while styling?

A very pretty but nasty device used in Victorian child rearing?


Totally lost..........need more caffiene   

[bigwull]

Welcome to the forum galenwhisper!

I know I shouldn't try to guess anything at this hour but here goes......

It fits around a wine bottle neck with room to spare so it's too large to be used to turn a wine cork.
Did they seal any other larger mouth jars with corks?

A ritzy 'tool' for holding hard boiled/pickled eggs at the dinner table?

Something to grasp a thick hank of hair while styling?

A very pretty but nasty device used in Victorian child rearing?


Totally lost..........need more caffiene   

May i suggest you try Red Bull.....instead of Pepsi...as for turning a wine cork....they are flush with the neck of the bottle...so you,d be hard pushed to grab it with this....your egg grabber thought is more than likely...or as a walnut cracker...see link...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bar-Craft-Study-Hand-Held-Nut-Cracker-Bottle-Opener-/130741891321?pt=UK_Kitchen_Accessories&hash=item1e70d2f0f9

[sapphire]

Those tiny, sharp teeth are what is throwing me off. First thought (after a cork 'turner') was a jar opener......but the teeth nixed that.  Then those 60's/70's style 'ring' with teeth used to hold girl's ponytails, but you wouldn't need teeth that sharp.  Tried picturing what you would grasp in it that would need those teeth.......small and sharp.  Eggs and kiwi came to mind ...... but my mind isn't up for much this morning 

Heigh ho, heigh ho........it's off to work I gooooooooo.


Ohhhh.........pulli ng a candle stub out of a holder??

OK, now I'm definitely heading out>>>>>>

[bigwull]

its as Sapphire suggested its for taking the top off yer soft boiled egg..so that you can dip yer toast sodjee,s in...try it out and prove us wrong...

[kidden6968]

I bet Sapphire and Bigwull are right!!!

Check this out - totally different style but would do the same thing with the teeth

http://www.amazon.com/Topper-Cutter-Clipper-Stainless-Kitchen/dp/B002R7O190

[kidden6968]

Oops sent too fast - looks like you squeeze - pierce the egg with the teeth - then twist

Who knew??

[sapphire]

Sterling, but not near as pretty........

http://www.antiquesreporter.com.au/index.cfm/lot/196254-a-sterling-silver-egg-cutter-by-hester-bateman-105-cm-long/


I'm amazed that I even got close to what it might be, especially at that hour of the morning 

[bigwull]

Its a 3 way split!

[sapphire]

Could still use it to unplug a thick candle stub from a holder too. 

[bigwull]

Sterling, but not near as pretty........

http://www.antiquesreporter.com.au/index.cfm/lot/196254-a-sterling-silver-egg-cutter-by-hester-bateman-105-cm-long/


I'm amazed that I even got close to what it might be, especially at that hour of the morning 

you were,nt far away....with  
A ritzy 'tool' for holding hard boiled/pickled eggs at the dinner table?so we,ll give you the benefit of the doubt....seeing as how you were half in half out of the land of nod.....

[bigwull]

Could still use it to unplug a thick candle stub from a holder too. 

Na...don,t confuse us...you got a third....

[fancypants]

My best guess would be for use with 'spiritually-enhanced' items , esp as in fizzy sorts , served with oysters & on/during New Years celebrations , whose non-straight-sided corks are oft heard 'popping' !
These little guys are designed to be used in one hand , and are held as with a backwards pair of scissors ; they can give the sommolier a bit more control over the rate of gas-escape when decanting ... mostly just for show , though .

[bigwull]

My best guess would be for use with 'spiritually-enhanced' items , esp as in fizzy sorts , served with oysters & on/during New Years celebrations , whose non-straight-sided corks are oft heard 'popping' !
These little guys are designed to be used in one hand , and are held as with a backwards pair of scissors ; they can give the sommolier a bit more control over the rate of gas-escape when decanting ... mostly just for show , though .

Och your havering a load of the broon stuff...its fur chappin the pointy end af an egg and thats it.....then ya dip yer sodjee,s in......O, and by the way...sommolier has twa ees in it....if you,re gonna be correct...you might as well do it right....