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The pictured item is 6 inches long.
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This is a brass hinged nutcracker with the figure of a squirrel.
I think it is part of a latch for a gate or door or maybe cabinet.
a nutcracker
a nut cracker
Aha! I must concur with Hookman about the identity of today’s “wiw!” puzzle.
Convinced it’s a nut cracker, but why the bear? It seems a squirrel would be more appropriate.
A nut craker.
I agree with EJC’s opinion that it’s a nut cracker. Two problems with hookem’s theory. First the platform that he suggests is a power cup would need a hole for the flame from the power cup to travel into the rifle to ignite the explosion behind the bullet. Second, and more importantly, the whatsit would need to be of a ferrous material to cause a spark to ignite the gun powder, brass won’t cause the needed spark.
or it’s a bronze nut cracker.
It’s a frizzen, with the shape of a bear, that has been removed from the flintlock rifle it was attached to. Do you notice the small round “powder cup” just to the side of the bear’s feet?
Looks like a bronze nut cracker