The three following photos are of today's mystery object (by special request of Sir Bruin Ursa-Major, who enjoys mystery objects - he says).
It measures about four and a half inches top to bottom as shown, and about two and three quarter inches across. It was made of leather sometime in the nineteenth century, and has the makers name B.Woolley and Sons, Redditch, together with a broad arrow mark stamped into it. I found it at a country antique fair about six months ago, and gave five pounds for it. It is not in the least valuable, but is part of English history.
3 comments:
Your B. Woolley in Redditch only shows up in Google - as the latest Armoury blog!
It's militaria and the round hole looks like a rifle barrel would go through it. Is it some sort of steadying aid for firing a rifle?
Rog
I think it is something that a sailmaker (or similar) would use. I believe it may be called a "palm"? The hole is for the thumb and the hard circular bit was for pushing needles through sailcloth etc.
Well done, Sir Bruin! You are, of course, right in every detail. See my next blog entry (Tuesday 2) for a photo of meself with the sailmaker's palm on my hand and a needle to demonstrate its use.
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