Throughout its history, TATHS has always provided a service to identify puzzling old tools. Queries can come from anyone - museum curators, collectors, or someone clearing out a relative's shed. Whatever the source, TATHS members like the challenge of identifying and explaining mystery objects! These "Whatsits" have been published in our quarterly newsletter - and still will be - but this section of the website will feature a selection of them, generally with bigger pictures than we can print in the newsletter. If you have any answers, or just guesses that might be helpful, you can add them in the comments. To submit a query, take some photos and email them with your question to our Queries Editor, at queries@taths.org.uk.
Eveline van Breemen from the North Lincolnshire Museum Service Would like to confirm (or deny) that the item in the attached photographs is a floor board cramp. She is concerned that it may have been misclassified.
Harry Dodd would very much appreciate any insights into the purpose and mode of operation of this tool. At first sight, it appears to be for shaving or trimming narrow strips of something flexible but, as you will see, close examination raises more questions than answers.