What is it?

[radguy]

Ok this thing is scaled off like a measure and has a sliding handle/knob. It is marked with the words NOVELTY PAT'D AUG. 7, 1366 APL. 13 1860

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fI7t8yxpet8/TlKypwXdcxI/AAAAAAAAADk/4hwfSAzsaV0/s800/IMG_1531.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iVUYUdCxwl8/TlKy7ci2ypI/AAAAAAAAADo/yx9oths4DI0/s800/IMG_1530.JPG

Dan

[m_fumich]

This should help. Now everyone can see what it is. I have no idea.

[rusty]

I can't find a patent, but if the date is 1866 the company is probably The Novelty Manufacturing Co, Boston. The company was soliciting inventions for anything and everything that was small and easy to manufacture, so it doesn't help very much identifing it...

(They are known to lamp collectors as they made a lot of old lamps and lamp parts, but that doesn't seem like a lamp thing...)

There are some potential patents at the bottom of this page, and a little history on Novelty
http://www.thelampworks.com/lw_william_weeden.htm

[radguy]

Take a look at the forth item down on the page. Guess I found out what it came from.

http://www.officemuseum.com/stapler_gallery_single_staple.htm

Dan

[rusty]

Sure looks like it. Now all you need is the base ; P

[Aunt Phil]

Staple driver for binding thick stacks such as books.