@Bill
I am discouraged from contacting companies for back story on items that they have made. The last 7 emails, and 4 phone calls I have made to companies regarding things I have found in this last year have gone completely unanswered. Last year out of I think 12 emails I got 2 auto responses. I have never had any luck in getting information from what should be the source on my finds. It is one of the major reasons I joined this forum for my tool finds in specific.
@Oily
My understanding of this specific press made by this company, purpose wise, is that it is for making mashed potatoes.
Typically when making mashed potatoes, in general, one would boil them with the skin on (they tend to cook better this way, as the skin acts as an insulator and holds the potato together). Once they are cooked the water is drained off and they are let to stand until cool enough to handle. Then under cold water the skins are hand rubbed off. After which the potatoes are beaten in a bowl along with ingredients (such as butter, herbs, and salt).
With this device you place the boiled potatoes, skin and all in the basket, without any stand time, and press the contents through the basket holes. This reduces wait time, makes breaking down the potatoes and peeling them a one step action (the skins will not pass through the holes of the basket for the most part). And it leaves you with a more uniformly creamy and still very hot mixture into which additives are more easily stirred and more thoroughly blend (given a smother consistency and higher temperature then if done manually).
If you want creamy mashed potatoes, made quickly with a more even flavor...nothing beats one of these really. Though some prefer to leave the skins in the mix or want it to be more chunky. Both of which this tool prohibits.
However, yours may very well be a tomato juicer. Kitchen presses have been made with dozens of purposes in mind. Typically they are designed for a singular purpose. And, newer juicer machines and blenders (and combinations of the two) have rendered a lot of them obsolete. But, there are at least two designs that are still very common in kitchens today. Those being:
The Garlic Press
And the Lime Juicer
@Branson
Thanks for the info on the paint job...to my mind, A reduction in the amount of components used usually represents an advancement in the manufacturing process. I would think more pieces likely equates to older overall. Given that you have had yours for over 40 years. It may be likely that mine is a tad older. But there is also the possibility that either of ours has had replacement or repair work done to them. also for clarities sake is yours marked as made by silver and co. as mine is?
Additionally, the rod to the press on the one I have appears to be cast, non-galvanized steel, as does the press plate. I think this assembly is original to the piece as the rod is inseparable from the plate and the plate has a node of metal that bumps up perfectly against a node of metal on the handle acting an action stopper. Also, because the pin holding this piece to the operable handle is identical (in style) to the pin that holds the operable handle to the base handle. And, at that adjoining the base and operable handle feature stopping nodes...so the whole thing look consistent in design. Interestingly the pins are not threaded and bolted. They are bare and on one the point where the two handles are jointed the pin has been mushroomed by hammering to stay in. However, the pin for the press rod and plate is not mushroomed. and though a snug fit, it is removable ( I assume for cleaning purposes).
