Does anybody know what this is?

[maxwell]

Hey, this came into our antique mall this morning, and nobody here can figure out what it is or what it is used for. Anybody happen to know?

[maxwell]

Another Pic

[myracles103]

A method for corrugation?

[maxwell]

Corrugating what, though? It would have to be something pretty thin to use wood...

[mart]

Does the inside feel greasy or waxy ? Are the edges of the top piece sharp or flat ?

[maxwell]

It doesn't seem greasy at all, but it has probably been sitting unused for a very long time. The edges of the top piece are flat, just like the bottom.

[maxwell]

There does seem to be a slight dip in the bottom pieces though, where they have been worn down from use.

[myracles103]

I would think for a piece of aluminum or tin, but it seems too small to be of much use for anything other than flashing.

[mart]

Well, my thought was something for soap making but looking closer I can see that might not work.  Maybe Rauville will look at this thing. He can usually find the odd items like this !!

[gg27]

Not quite the same shape but similar to flax rendering machines that were used to break down the flax to get the threads for linen.  Saw them in use in New Brunswick last summer at Kings Landing.  Not sure if this is it or not but maybe a similar thing.  GG

[maxwell]

Hmm... that's a good idea, GG, but I don't think so. I've tried some searches on Google along those lines, and haven't found anything promising.

[cogar]

Not quite the same shape but similar to flax rendering machines that were used to break down the flax to get the threads for linen.  Saw them in use in New Brunswick last summer at Kings Landing.  Not sure if this is it or not but maybe a similar thing.  GG

That's exactly what I was thinking it might be only I was going to call it a "break".

It's old, made of wood and hand operated.

And, whew, I finally found a "flax break" but larger version, to wit:

http://www.frontierfreedom.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3542&sid=7285e882664be771e3fa61d5f4791bad

Ps. Maxwell's unit was surely made for "home use" by the farmer's wife.
 
Violet's grandmother grew her own flax and wove it on a loom. She has a skein of her grandmother flax hanging downstairs somewhere. 

[gg27]

Not quite the same shape but similar to flax rendering machines that were used to break down the flax to get the threads for linen.  Saw them in use in New Brunswick last summer at Kings Landing.  Not sure if this is it or not but maybe a similar thing.  GG

That's exactly what I was thinking it might be only I was going to call it a "break".

It's old, made of wood and hand operated.

And, whew, I finally found a "flax break" but larger version, to wit:

http://www.frontierfreedom.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3542&sid=7285e882664be771e3fa61d5f4791bad

Ps. Maxwell's unit was surely made for "home use" by the farmer's wife.
 
Violet's grandmother grew her own flax and wove it on a loom. She has a skein of her grandmother flax hanging downstairs somewhere. 

That was the word I was looking for "break"   I'm still not sure that's what it is, but glad that someone else knows what I'm talking about.  
Hope someone comes along with a definitive answer.  GG

[maxwell]

Ok, that definitely seems to be on the right track. After searching a bit on Google, though, I still can't find a flax brake with more than two or three blades. The flax breaks tend to also have more of a blade, rather than flat slats, though. They also tend to have the blades come all the way together. On this one, when it is shut all the way, there is still space in between each of the slats.

[mart]

I don`t know !!  Doesn`t seem to fit this tool !!  Just curious but did you ask when it was brought in what it was for ??