Help with identification...

Hello All,

Can someone help me identify this brass "thing", I have no idea what it is for or how old it is.

Thanks for your help!

 

The video is all well and good but it really doesn't show details of the item. I would particularly like to see a detailed photo of the flat end where the pins pop out to. I am wondering if it might be a blood-letting instrument missing needles or blades.

 

Here you go...

 

Hm. Or for cupping? That didn't use needles.

I wondered if it were for drawing up some kind of paste or whatever and moulding it, but it doesn't seem to eject anything. Pill mould maybe.

 

Thanks. Have nothing more and don't think it is for blood-letting. Odd how there is variation in how the pins are made.

 

Thanks for your thoughts so far, this thing is a mystery. The spring is super powerful, it really goes with a bang when you release it.

 

Hi,
Are the pins the same length and thickness? I was thinking of tenderizing meat or injecting into it.
greg

 

how far in to the pins travel before they stop..?

 

How old do you think it is?

 

why are six pins on the outer corners different from the rest ...? eh ?

 

I'm sure I've seen one of these before, a pins on view might be helpful. I'm probably wrong but maybe something to do with a vet giving an animal medicine?

 

poor aminamal.......sigh...

 

It looks Victorian, but don't quote me.

 

I don't think it hurt them, I think it was designed to save the vets fingers, horses I think?

 

My guess is a antique veterinary brass pill gun?

 

I've got nothing also after searching, searching and doing image reverse searches. Like Brad, my 1st thought was a blood letting instrument, but no way can those the openings accommodate the necessary blades. Is there any marks, logo or lettering on any parts of it? On cropping one of the images from the video, it looks almost possible for writing/marks in 3 locations on the handle end.

--- Susan

 

Now that's an idea. Possibly a brass pill maker with the pill dough pressed into the holes. When hardened, they can be pushed out. Can't find a like one. Maybe not necessarily veterinary. Here are others:
http://www.vintagemedical.com/pages/3123-17.html
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-A...297908?hash=item4b16df9234:g:T7oAAOSwnONZA5nN

This is a pill press, a different animal:
http://phisick.com/item/19th-century-brass-pill-press-by-simon/

--- Susan

 

I'm not seeing where a pill press would need to fire the pills across the room....
that spring shoots off like gun !

 

It is very similar to a scarificator, but the round pistons are a puzzle. If there are sharp pins as well, it could be a veterinary tool for administering inoculations to horses. If needles, then it may be a vaccination instrument for animals (ca. 1860) [If you're old enough, remember the smallpox vaccination scars? Multiple points.]

 

Hi,
Still have my scar!!!!
greg