Looks a bit like a duck or goose call but I have never seen one that hinged open like that. I really don't know enough about them to tell you for sure. Just a guess based on the form of the thing.
I go with corker. I'm surprised it's not patent dated somewhere. Look close all over. There might be a tiny patent mark somewhere unexpected, like on the metal bits or the hinge. I'd guess later 19th. cent.
Would either of you be kind enough to explain how this thing works as a "corker?" Not that I disbelieve you, I just don't see how.
The cork is placed in the top of the bottom section. It gets squeezed down in the funnel, and expands when it comes out the other end - in the bottle top. My guess is that this is a 1970s item.
I see a few of them now.... https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/219806293/vintage-bottle-corker-wooden-wine-bottle?ref=market
Now that was easy. I have no idea why I didn't search my first guess, must have been the mystery of it. I may have to soak so old wine bottle corks, polish the inside of the metal funnel and see how it works. If successful I'll post pics on this thread. Thanks everyone, for your efforts check this out. Warning: it's borderline racy, will make you blow what ever you drinking out of your nose. It took a week to get the beer smell out of my sinuses. SNL's BobbyO-Italian_Cork_Soakers-20080331
Hi, I think it is for those newer rubbery like corks not old fashioned cork corks. I say that since it has a "phillips" head screw in the top. Perhaps a recorker instead of corker? greg
All that I have were way too big, that will be something to keep my eye out for at estate sales. At almost every sale I see old screws, nuts and bolts, almost always about 2 bits to $1 for a pint. I bought a couple of light sockets for 50¢ still in packaging. They were sold Sears probably in the 50's or 60's, love find NOS( A lot of my Aladdin supplies are NOS). I'm a shameless estate sale/thrift store junkie.
I thought it was interesting the the plunger shaft and handle are 1 piece of turned oak. I was thinking newer manufacturing would probably glue the shaft into the handle.
