Can someone tell me what this is?

[rmarks1701]

Hi there, I am knew here but I have a real oddity on my hands.

I got this from my sister-in-law after her husband passed away a few years ago, and so far no one I have shown this too can tell me either what it is, or what it is used for. All I know is that it is interesting to look at.

Anyway as to what it looks like. It is made of wood with brass on it, 3 sharp points on one side, one of which moves by means of a brass handle some 6" away from it. In between the handle and the spike there is a wooden block with a brass knob that when turned will stop the spike from being moved.  the other two spikes are fixed, one on each side of the central shaft.

It is also stamped "India" , and that is all.

I think pictures will say what I cannot.

 

[superzstuff]

It is a wood worker's marking gauge. I use one to make mortise and tenon joints.

[Lump]

We called these "scribes" or marking gauges, when I was a young tin-bender. You adjust the stop to whatever width you need, and lock it down there. Then you just drag it along the edge of whatever stock you are working on. So, if you need a line marked half inch in from the end of one entire side of a piece of work-stock, you just set the stop to 1/2 inch, and drag it along the edge of your work piece, and scratch in the line 1/2" from the edge.

MUCH faster than making marks at 1/2" inch in at several points along that edge, and setting a straight-edge along those points, and then scribing a line.

Cheers!

[Branson]

Specifically, a mortising gauge, with a second, adjustable point so that both sides of a mortise are marked out at once.