What Is It? Mystery Driver(?) Tool

[DadsTools]

I picked this up with a bunch of old wood handled screwdrivers. About 2-1/2" long. Almost looks like a bit in a holder with a locking pin, but on close examination it looks like the parts are made to be permanently assembled. Only marking is a number "11" on the ferrule, presumably the size. Whatzit?

 

[larry_g]

As coarse as the turning marks are on that it might be a shop made tool. In my mind I keep seeing a BNC looking socket that this is used to turn in into something. Think something like a carb needle and seat, only bigger.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[DadsTools]

It could be a shop-made tool. Doesn't look it though because of the uniformity of the patina. You might be on the right track for it to be a tool for some device installation or adjustment. I should have mentioned that the screwdriver lot came from a large collection of vintage tools, mostly woodworking. None of the wood handled screwdrivers in the lot from which this came had any evidence whatsoever of residue associated with auto or machinery repair. It's use was then likely for the woodworking trade. This collection had lots of old woodworking tools and equipment. The bullet-like pin on the end is really mysterious, as one would think its size and shape was fundamental to its function. A real head-scratcher.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Some type of lock-out? Push in to engage and turn to lock.

 

[DadsTools]

I suspect it might be in the direction you suggest. Almost like that bullet tip fits into some similarly shaped recess. I know Stanley for years made a specially designed screwdriver for adjusting their wood planes. There's all kinds of traditional woodworking devices I'm only vaguely familiar with--perhaps it goes to something like that. Don't think it's a furniture-maker T-nut installer because I don't think they had those back then. Something maybe more like your idea.

 

[rustyzman]

Is the bullet shaped tip spring loaded? Could be a hand pressing tool for a small hollow rivet or a snap assembly. Just a thought.

 

[gungatim]

almost looks like some sort of key/handle to a cabinet or something.

or possibly something used to wind something up and then remove.

 

[DadsTools]

Is the bullet shaped tip spring loaded? Could be a hand pressing tool for a small hollow rivet or a snap assembly. Just a thought.

The tip is not spring loaded. All the parts are fixed and appears to be intended as a solid assembly.

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Sort of makes me think of a piano tuner's hammer/wrench. Could be used for tightening musical instrument strings? maybe for a Harp?
Sort of cool - thanksforsharing

 

[DadsTools]

almost looks like some sort of key/handle to a cabinet or something.

or possibly something used to wind something up and then remove.

It sure does. Something to install or turn a particular fitting or fastener and then removed. But the geometry of the various parts seems to indicate it fits something of a very specific shape.

 

[Provincial]

Something like a threaded insert for wood?

https://www.ezlok.com/assets/images/hard_wood_vignette_1.png

 

[DadsTools]

Something like a threaded insert for wood?

https://www.ezlok.com/assets/images/hard_wood_vignette_1.png

I thought about that too, but I think there's a few problems with this. Having been in the office furniture business for some time, I don't think the availability of these inserts goes as far back in time as the apparent age of this tool. Based on the inserts I've seen, this tool looks to be too long. The side pin also looks to extend out too far so that it would scrape against the wood while installing. And there's only one pin where it would be more logical to have two. Plus these inserts were made so they could be easily installed with a wide tip standard flat screwdriver without the need for a special tool. Nor do I think it would explain the odd bullet tip.

 

[gungatim]

Sort of makes me think of a piano tuner's hammer/wrench. Could be used for tightening musical instrument strings? maybe for a Harp?
Sort of cool - thanksforsharing

I did a google image search on your idea, there are several images of similar tools for piano tuning, but nothing exact. similar round tip and similar handle, but not exact.

I do think you are on to something though...

 

[DadsTools]

It's the plug for a Lyman hollow point bullet mold:

Now that's an interesting idea! I still see some inconsistencies with this, though. Makes sense in this application that the shanks are round so their placement is easier--the tool in question has a geometric shank that would have to be placed precisely. Nor does it quite explain the single protruding side bar, which seems inconsistent with this application. I still think the best ideas have been those suggesting it's a tool to insert in some sort of fitting and turn it, either to install the fitting into something or to turn the fitting as an adjuster or locking device. It's a matter of finding what that fitting is.