Antique Toolbox: May Mystery Tool

Can you guess the May mystery tool?

Here’s May’s mystery tool—can you guess its purpose? The object measures 8.5 inches.

If you think you know what it is, share your guess using the contact form below. Include your full name and the town where you live. Submissions are due by Monday, May 26, 2025. The correct answer will be revealed on Sunday, June 1. Good luck!

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Submission Form

For information, visit landisvalleymuseum.org.

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April Mystery Tool

Jennifer Royer, curator at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, has identified April’s mystery tool as a metal outside caliper. The instrument measures 9.625 inches in length and features two curved metal arms, each 5.625 inches long, connected by a rivet measuring 0.375 inches in diameter and 0.5 inches thick. Outside calipers are used to measure the thickness and external diameters of objects.

John Beale, Sharon Stine, Bobby Donaldson, Julie Henry, JB Canouse, and Kari Hultman all correctly said some form of calipers. Katy Olweiler wasn’t far off when she said, “Phrenology measurement tool,” which would have utilized a type of outside caliper.

Scores of people guessed ice tongs, although several people indicated in the comments on both Facebook and Instagram that the handles were incorrectly placed to be ice tongs. Ice tongs were used to lift and carry large blocks of ice before the invention of modern refrigeration. These sturdy metal tools, often featuring curved, claw-like ends, allowed ice delivery workers—known as icemen—to securely grip and transport the heavy blocks from wagons to homes and businesses. Ice tongs were essential during the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially when iceboxes were the primary means of keeping food cold.

Other guesses included hot coal tongs, hay bale lifter, hay bale grabber, sugar tongs, and even “ball cutters” (ouch!). My favorite incorrect answer came from Erik Gölden, who humorously suggested, “Old country baby delivering forceps.”

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