What is this?

[ClayW]

I picked these up at a garage sale and I have no idea what they are. They seem to function as some sort of crimping device, but for what I am not sure. Any ideas?

 

[4x4gearhead]

Old battery cable crimpers?

 

[BD1]

Does it seem to have a sharp cutting edge ? that might be wire strippers for 12 and 14 gauge.

 

[woody 73]

Used for crimping phone lines.

 

[ClayW]

Used for crimping phone lines.

That seems right. There is no cutting/stripping edge and the leverage is set up for compressing fittings really tightly. The BELL SYSTEMS" stamping should have given me a clue!

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

I've got one too. Does anyone have a picture of the sort of wire and crimp they were used for? I am guessing that these predate the more modern plastic squeeze fitting where you just shove the wires into holes in the plastic banjo and squeeze down a platic plunger, but do the same job. Gotta be some linemen on here...

 

[coolreed]

Das ist eine Krimper!!!

Mien Herr.

 

[rlitman]

I've got one too. Does anyone have a picture of the sort of wire and crimp they were used for? I am guessing that these predate the more modern plastic squeeze fitting where you just shove the wires into holes in the plastic banjo and squeeze down a platic plunger, but do the same job. Gotta be some linemen on here...

Look up a Nicopress crimper.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

A name! I'm on it!
OK...lots of sizes of the little double-barreled fittings, from telephone wire tiny to much bigger for rigging braces. This really clarifies the tool's range of use for me. Thanks!
The thing has an admirably FINAL feel to it when it closes...it is pretty clear any wires it gets into its jaw are not coming apart anytime soon.