Does Anyone KNOW What This Is?

T

TedG954

Senior Member
I have a feeling, if anyone knows, it's gonna be the Carolina Photo Guy!

Whatever it is, it is important enough to be in the the Vatican Museum.

There was no plaque or label to tell what it is.

Do you know?

View attachment 14756
 
C

Carolina Photo Guy

Senior Member
jdeg said:
looks like it's used to press something. Maybe to mint coins?
Click to expand...

This was not used to press, it was used to LIFT.

Look at the square shaft between the two end caps. That was made to keep a chain from slipping.

What could this be used to lift that would be of interest to the Vatican?

I am unable to say for certain, but I think this was a gate mechanism used at the

Colosseum to usher Christians out for the lion's buffet.

Thats my reasoned guess, but I could be wrong.
 
M

MrF

Senior Member
If it could be used to lift, it could be used to pull. I'm with Billy Y. I bet it's a piece of 'motivational equipment' left over from the church's less friendly days.
 
J

jdeg

^ broke something
Staff member
MrF said:
If it could be used to lift, it could be used to pull. I'm with Billy Y. I bet it's a piece of 'motivational equipment' left over from the church's less friendly days.
Click to expand...

Maybe it's a tongue loosener? hah

Pete, I think you're right.
 
B

Billy Y.

Senior Member
The end pieces aren't big enough to accommodate a chain wrapping around the main shaft, but it's possible the square holes were used to put pressure on a rope so that while the main shaft is spinning it draws the rope through, say for a river ferry or stretching exercise (you know, medieval yoga). But if they didn't put a plaque on it maybe they don't know either.
 
T

TedG954

Senior Member
Carolina Photo Guy said:
This was not used to press, it was used to LIFT.

Look at the square shaft between the two end caps. That was made to keep a chain from slipping.

What could this be used to lift that would be of interest to the Vatican?

I am unable to say for certain, but I think this was a gate mechanism used at the

Colosseum to usher Christians out for the lion's buffet.

Thats my reasoned guess, but I could be wrong.
Click to expand...

Well, if Pete doesn't know what it is, the rest of you might as well quit guessing. Whatever it is, it was well used. Maybe I'll call the Pope.
 
B

Billy Y.

Senior Member
TedG954 said:
Well, if Pete doesn't know what it is, the rest of you might as well quit guessing.
Click to expand...

Funny, it's a small picture but still, pete doesn't look 400 years old. I think Einstein once said "you don't know much, and that's a fact." or something like that. Most of what I say as fact is still just based on an educated guess.
 
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