Posted 2 years ago
onebklovr
(1 item)
I would like to know what this gadget is. This small brass gadget was tucked in my grandmother's sewing cabinet (along with thousands of buttons, pins, needles, other notions, & tools).
I do NOT believe it has anything to do with sewing. Gram kept a few special little (non-sewing) items in this cabinet as well. It was her place. There was a small geological specimen, something I had made and given her, the insert from a (late 1950's) toy car with illustrations all labeled in German, a button (the pin-on kind) from a local business.
I can see no name, logo, number or mark of any kind anywhere on the gadget. The little brass bobbin-type piece is 7/16" (1.1 cm) diameter by 1/4" (0.6 cm) high, spins freely on the post, and slips right off. I don't know if a piece of this gadget may be missing, but generally my grandmother kept every bit & piece together - often with original receipt and/or instruction page. Unfortunately, this intriguing tool was not packed with any documentation or additional pieces. Any information would be appreciated - thank-you.
Looks like some sort of tensioner pulley or bobbin holder?
Thank you for your reply
I'm not sure where the tension would come into it, as the bobbin spins freely whether the top (2 brass screw/bolt-like pieces each capped with a brass ball) is up or down. The post on which the bobbin sits extends beyond the bobbin. Top doesn't touch bobbin and nothing else applies friction to the bobbin. The metal prongs at the base appear fitted to hook onto/into something, to hold the gadget in place while it's doing ... whatever it's meant to do.
Do the ends (or rest of) of the 'Y' shaped 'arm' move? They sorta look coiled like springs, or are they threaded, or just ridges???
Thanks for your question, AnythingObscure! You are absolutely right that the two ends of the Y-shaped-arm LOOK like coiled springs ... so much so, that each time I take the gadget back out to examine it again, hoping to see something new, I find myself checking them repeatedly for any flexibility or adjustability - nada. They are threaded their whole length. Like long slim bolts. The brass ball end of each, I cannot loosen or make move by hand (haven't tried with pliers or some other better grip).