Modernized Metaphor

Euphroe

Something to test the quality of a rope...

Put the rope through the hole and drill it. count how often you can turn the stick before the rope breaks/damages.

It is a tool used to trim whale blubber. Like a saw.

some primitive version of a device that bends glass.

It is a radilaoph, a musical instrument that enjoyed a brief craze in the early 1870's, until someone said 'What the hell's making that racket?'

I think is yet another fireplace potholder.

Anyway, the way the hooks are set, you place the rod on one hook, and under the opposite hook, and you can move the pot up and down by changing what hooks the rod is set into.

Dave

This is a scam. The device was built first, then when it's function is figured out a patent will be filed and the inventor will die a rich man. For shame, Neatorama.

I'm with Dave...Pot holder

I believe I have seen something similar. It is an early Car Jack. The style of the linear gearing on the sides is much like modern versions of the same tool, just bigger.

My 2 cents -

Scott

I believe it is to be used to tune air powered pipe organs,like a flute has holes in the shaft.

It's a wagon jack - the bar sticks into the side of the wagon (horse drawn, by the way) and locks into the ratchets.

Looks like a vintage tire iron. Not sure if that's what they're called, but the contraption you use to change tires (or wagon wheels in this case!)

It's for playing limbo.

i think it's a golf club rack. the heads of the clubs balance against the upside-down hooks.
also, i think that tall steel bit with the eye might hold a bag o' balls?

A harpoon or similar device?

Device for securing sails on boats.

It's either a dinglehopper or a snarflat...not sure which one.

It's a device used to wind up rope. You tie one end in the little hole, and you can twist it all the way around the metal grooves, so that your rope is would up all nice and neat.

The very first prototype for a chainsaw? ;)

I think it's a tool for repairing bicycle chains. they would hang on the hooks and you could pull them straight with the bar. :)

I hope I can put in a second guess, I believe it is used for the measurement of candle flame strength in heat units.

It's a fish scaler.

It's a backscratcher. Deluxe model.

Seems like an umbrella stand to me.

a leather stretcher

i agree with dave. fire place pot holder, but i think the base is a little small for that. so i'd have to guess it's for drying your socks by the fire. there is even little burn marks on the bottom of the stand.

It is a "strange contraption".

Technically this answer is correct by your own admission in the picture caption and should win me the webcam since you didn't ask what is this contraption 'used for'.

Seriously though, my guess is it's some kind of primitive drying machine used to wring water out of a heavy fabric. One would fold the fabric in half and thread it through the hole. the long metal rod would be inserted in the crook of the fold and twisted counter clockwise, using the teeth on each side to help hold the bar in place so it doesn't twist backwards and hit you in the face if you got tired.

That or the "Edsel" of recreational sexual devices.

Looks like an old Car Jack

Guess #3,I believe the heat source is a coal oil lamp that is used to heat the rod endto vaporize something.

lifting jack. There should be a similar rod on the opposite side of the thing.

no, I was wrong before. It's a pipe bender.

Used for sizing or making hats. Mid 1800's.