Can anyone guess what this item is and what is was used for???

All Wood Painted item from the 19th century. Hint: it makes a noise

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Permalink Reply by Time Was Antiques on July 17, 2012 at 8:17pm

I know....but I'm not tellin'!

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Permalink Reply by Vintage Touch/Deanna Moyers on July 17, 2012 at 9:42pm

LOL

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Permalink Reply by ClassicMemories on July 17, 2012 at 9:50pm

Not sure completely but it may be a grogger which is a Jewish noise maker used at Purim.

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Permalink Reply by ElsiesAttic ~ CEO on July 17, 2012 at 10:28pm

Does it or can it spin? :)

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Permalink Reply by Vintage Touch/Deanna Moyers on July 17, 2012 at 10:31pm

Yes - you twirl it around

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Permalink Reply by Vintage Touch/Deanna Moyers on July 17, 2012 at 10:32pm

That is not quite it

ClassicMemories said:

Hi

Not sure completely but it may be a grogger which is a Jewish noise maker used at Purim.

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Permalink Reply by ElsiesAttic ~ CEO on July 17, 2012 at 11:10pm

I would have said a noise maker too.... :)

ooooohhhh... maybe a duck call???? :)

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Permalink Reply by Luv2LuvAntiques on July 17, 2012 at 11:13pm

Deanna, I was thinking noise maker too, but not the Jewish part of it. If it's not a noise maker for New Year's, what is it?

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Permalink Reply by Carmel Collectibles on July 18, 2012 at 12:03am

Could it be a turkey call? I know my husband had one that was made of wood and it made a clucking sound by spinning it around.

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Permalink Reply by Jamie Schmidt on July 18, 2012 at 1:00am

Is it a nut cracker or a cig roller?

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Permalink Reply by Vintage Touch/Deanna Moyers on July 18, 2012 at 7:46am

Ok -a lot of good guesses, but what it actually is: it's sometimes called a fire rattle or alarm. They were used during the 19th century when there was a need to atttract attention such as a fire. It makes a loud noise when twirled around; made completely of wood; I'm sure it was probably used as a noise maker any time there was an occasion to make noise as well. Thanks for all the guesses.