Artifact, Unidentified

Description

Commercially-made (?) cutting device for an unknown purpose. A maple (probably Acer rubrum) body, 1 1/4" x 2 1/4" x 6 3/4", tapering lengthwise, starting 4 1/2" from end, down to 5/8" width at other end. Side and top edges chamfered, end top edges rounded over. Along the proper right side of the taper, a brass plate about 9/16" x 2 1/16" long, holding 8 cutters similarly shaped as the scarificator cutters on 1952.4901.1, is set into the top of the body with its edge flush with the side of the body below the chamfer. A 1/4" thick piece of maple with a 5/32" x 2 1/8" slot is secured over the cutter assembly such that about 1/16" of the cutter blades are exposed. Two pieces of brass plate are set into the top of the body, 13/16" apart and the barrel of a maple hinge is secured by two brass flat-head wood screws through the brass into the barrel ends. This barrel is a part of a carved blade protector and has eight lenticular depressions carved into the underside of the cover into which the tips of the blades fit. Another piece of brass plate pivots on a wood screw and presses against the cutter bases when the other end is moved. Another carved maple component is screwed to the body with a cut-out on its underside for the handle of this pivoting brass piece. On the underside, a grid has been scratched (rows 3/32" apart, columns 1/4" apart), and a series of eight 5/64" diameter holes drilled forming a diagonal line.