Does anyone know what this is?

[Bill Bukovec]

I found this in a toolbox of woodworking tools.

If you pull on the lever near the handle, the wheel at the end rotates.

Doesn't seem to do much else.

[Jim Ritter]

Could it be some kind of sparke maker for lighting something? If not I got nothing.

[John Coloccia]

Looks like an old flint lighter, used for lighting a gas stove. I've never seen one that old and that primitive before. That looks like something the local blacksmith may have made in his spare time.

[george wilson]

Excellent guess,John!! Is the wheel serrated like in a Zippo?? We always just had to use matches(when we didn't have a coal stove) when I was young.

[Bill Bukovec]

The wheel is serrated, so I took a closer look.

I looked at it closer and saw " HAHWAY Made in Germany" on the bottom. Looks like they made a lot of lighters over the years.

It looks like this is missing the piece(s) that hold the flint against the wheel.

I knew this was the place to post the question!

hanks,

Bill

[Adam Neat]

Heck I was going to say tape measure, about a 30 footer

[john brenton]

That is a good guess! But now that I see it something tells me I've seen this before....maybe in a plumbers kit for the torch.

Could it be some kind of sparke maker for lighting something? If not I got nothing.