A three legged mystery tool

[JoeCB]

What is it? picked it up at the Re-Store ... three rollers and a center post, Hand tool for sure. Well made. Markings... R. Breil - St. Louis MO. Maybe some kind of a sheet metal crimping/ forming tool???

Joe B

[Lostmind]

Crimping can lids?

[oldgoaly]

maybe foil lids for glass milk bottles?

[JoeCB]

Thanks, guys... you may be on the right track. I did figure out that the center round "button" is spring loaded and can move in about 3/8 inch. that changes the relationship between it and the three  form rollers. Hoping that someone will ID the manufacturer,
Joe B

[Lewill2]

Seems he was involved in a number of things. I found a reference to him being involved in the paper board industry; he owned a machinery company established in 1916. He was listed in a Commercial register under the heading of "stencils". He also patented a measuring rule July 30, 1907, patent 861,799. I also found an advertisement for his steel rules.

[JoeCB]

Thanks for the info on Breil.  "Transparent steel" ??? until I read the description.  Since the OP I have discovered that the center dics shaped post is spring loaded and can move inward about 1/4".  The mystery remains

Joe B

[t115145]

For putting a flange on a tube, so a hose could be clamped in place.

[amecks]

That makes a lot of sense.  The small threaded rod could be an adjustable stop for accurate placement of the flange.

[p_toad]

maybe it was for inserting "caps" into milk bottles?