What Is This??

[Aunt Phil]

Send $1000 honorarium to Distinguished Professor Philippe DeBlanc Endowment Fund and the Prof will write you a short book on the ring holder, why it's built with a wedge instead of a screw, and how it's used.

I'll even include a picture of a shovel, and instructions on how to employ the ring holder to expand a curators information portal.

I haven't been here long, but (with all due respect) I have been here long enough to learn you're the kinda guy that "I'd like to buy for what you're worth, then sell you for what you think you're worth." ;)

Now you can make the check for $1250-  I didn't realize you were a conservator.

[harborrat]

Here is a link to a jewelers' ring vise or ring clamp, currently produced, of wood. 

http://www.ottofrei.com/Standard-Wood-Ring-Clamp.html

[Lostmind]

Here's a WAG - the end without the ring is the handle , object is put in the split end ,
Wedge is inserted to fold over object , ring is there to control the size.
Outside the box thinking. I said it was a WAG.

[Branson]

Maybe we just didn't have the whole tool.  This just appeared this morning on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Workshop-Lumber-Board-Holder-Devise-OLD-Patd-1895-/181098357998?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a2a4da4ee

[rusty]

>Maybe we just didn't have the whole tool

Neither does the seller ;P

[Aunt Phil]

Oh just great Rusty.
Now we gotta figure out if it was designed for the yuppie of that time frame to swing the flour barrel in the pantry, or for use in a pail closet to make for less splashing as the pails were removed.