Wotsit?

[Mike.S]

Having a clear out and whilst sorting through some tools and hardware I came across this 'device':

which is hinged (one way only):

and has a hole in one end of the top bar:

Initially thought it's some sort of portable coat hanger but why so well made (note the chamfers and decoration) and why the hole?

Anyone any idea what it might be?

Edit: sorry, it's about 100mm by 80mm

 

[blackrodd]

Gang dangler! Or can I rung a fiend?
Rodders

 

[bugbear]

The hook looks exactly like the form seen on a boot puller,
so I suspect it's some kind of footwear related multitool.

It's so nicely made, I further suspect it might be hunting related.

Boot puller link:
http://leatherking.ca/-boot-accessories ... uller.html

Edit; confirmed; found an old eBay image

(fits nicely into a folding boot jack)

So in the picture 1 tool is clearly a combined button hook/boot puller, and the other tool is...
...yours.

BugBear

 

[bugbear]

Found a nice one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUPERB-FOLDIN ... 0994401445

http://www.tackagain.co.uk/mall/product ... 3-5/481516

BugBear

 

[AndyT]

It's a folding boot hook.

Imagine yourself getting ready to go out on the town. You have your nice frilly shirt and your best breeches on, but your tight-fitting leather boots are a bit difficult to get hold of and pull up snugly onto your well-rounded calves... fortunately, they have strong cloth loops inside the tops. Using the hook, you can grab a loop and pull them up nice and tight!

If you were wearing overalls, as you might be doing on a muddy night, they had canvas straps to hold them down over the outside of your boots. They wore out fast and often needed repairs, so a punch was a handy extra, for making new holes.

Here they are in a couple of old nineteenth century catalogues. Very much a gentleman's accessory, with a variant at every price point:

 

[Mike.S]

Edit; confirmed; found an old eBay image



(fits nicely into a folding boot jack)

So in the picture 1 tool is clearly a combined button hook/boot puller, and the other tool is...
...yours.

BugBear

Glad you said 'yours' not 'you'

Great thinking and find - that's exactly the thingy. Thank you =D>

 

[bugbear]

Here they are in a couple of old nineteenth century catalogues. Very much a gentleman's accessory, with a variant at every price point:

Timmins, perchance?

BugBear

 

[AndyT]

Here they are in a couple of old nineteenth century catalogues. Very much a gentleman's accessory, with a variant at every price point:

Timmins, perchance?

BugBear

Yes, one image from each of the two available reprints, by the Reeses and by Philip Walker. I left out the bibliographical details in a vain attempt to post the answer before you did, but I was still not quick enough! :lol:

 

[Mike.S]

It's a folding boot hook.

Here they are in a couple of old nineteenth century catalogues. Very much a gentleman's accessory, with a variant at every price point:

Brilliant additional info, many thanks =D>

That numbered 1036 looks like mine - priced at 34 shilliings/dozen. Must be worth a gazillion by now - if I can find the right gentleman. Chris Eubank perhaps :idea:

 

[Mike.S]

Yes, one image from each of the two available reprints, by the Reeses and by Philip Walker.

Andy

Is this the Phlip Walker auction house (now closed?)? If so, do you know where I may be able to get old (1993-2000ish) catalogues - just researching another matter?

Mike