What is it

[rat-tail]

Hi All - would appreciate any thoughts as to what this might have been used for. It measures about 30cm long is a long tube of silver with with a bent and flattened end one side and what looks like some king of mouth piece the other. It's too long for a straw. Could it be to fill a long necked bottle or have some scientific purpose. The person i bought it from thought it might have a medical or surgical purpose. It's assayed for Birmingham 1910. - Many thanks Frank

[NANCY Q]

This looks like the tool we have to start/refresh a fire. It's smaller, and judging from the date of manufacture, was probably used to start a fire in a wood burning stove. Blow in the mouth piece while pointing the end at the embers.

[rat-tail]

Hi Nancy - many thanks for your thoughts and probably the best explanation I've had - It may well be. My only concern here is that I am not sure fire starters would be made from silver what with it being a superb conductor of heat, but then again, many unlikely things were made of silver in this period. - This one's got me stumped - appreciate it - Frank

PS not sure who Mr E.B might be, but maybe he had a specialist line of manufacture that might give a further clue.

[owendobson]

Hello Frank,

I saw one of these being sold some years ago and it was described as a 'candle doubter' i.e. used for blowing out candles (presumably candles in tricky to reach places). The 'E.B' makers mark appears to be E. Baker & Son. If you follow the link and scroll down to EB you will see your mark and also see that the mark is described as having been seen on "Candle snuffer, cigar piercer, mustard, pen, pencil holder, "Yard-o-Led" pencil" http://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/Birmingham-E.html. Hope this helps. Owen

[rat-tail]

Hi Owen - many thanks - frank