A couple hints.
It is sitting on 8.5 x 11 paper. It's all there. 
Some sort of woodworking gauge?
Another pic. 
Need another hint?
It's not this century nor the last century. A hundred years ago it might have been just as good for a what is it.
gschrock, post: 441778, member: 556 wrote: To measure the thickness of stacks of paper. Hopefully money...
It does have something to do with paper, but that's not it.
gschrock, post: 442138, member: 556 wrote: Got me there. Some kind of hole punch, or paper strength tester, or clamp for a printer/copier.
Stumped!
I think it might be too old even for the old farts here. This came from the estate of my father-in-law who I'm sure saved it from his parent's estate.
This is arguably the very first stapler, invented in 1862 I think. This particular model came with a dilapidated box with a latest copyright of 1880.
Google: Novelty Paper Fastener 1880
vern, post: 442139, member: 3436 wrote: I think it might be too old even for the old farts here. This came from the estate of my father-in-law who I'm sure saved it from his parent's estate.
This is arguably the very first stapler, invented in 1862 I think. This particular model came with a dilapidated box with a latest copyright of 1880.
Google: Novelty Paper Fastener 1880
That is really cool!
Super cool! I actually thought it looked like a staple puller but didn't say anything because I didn't know when the use of staples became common enough to necessitate the need for a puller LOL. That and the depth gauge piece that runs vertical through it didn't seem to fit with that application. It looks to be in very good condition and would be in my antique display case if it were mine. Thanks for sharing.
