What is it ???

[Reg]

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Mods, am not sure what I am working with so if in wrong area please feel free to change.

Got this guy in a fleabay box a few years ago and it has been driving me nuts ever since. It is about 3 inches long, made from steel and nicely case hardened. Hinged in the middle with a strong spring to hold in the shown position. The tab is attached with two flat head and recessed screws. Stamped-

ATHOL MACHINE CO.
ATHOL, MASS. USA NO. 192 3 IN.
PAT. OCT 24 1911

What ever it is, it appears to be in unused condition and very well made.

My undying gratitude to who can inform me !!!!!!

[dragonrider]

I believe Athol Machine Co. is now Starrett. Send them these photos and description and perhaps they can tell you what it is. A quick search found this.

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=1179

found it

https://books.google.com/books?id=88NLAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA166&lpg=PA166&dq=Athol+MACHINE+TOOL++NO192&source=bl&ots=pbg5Z7v807&sig=9zc0dr4XA47xyMLAppQ7LcSTqcU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mYtLVfWUCsqLsAXi-4HoDA&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Athol%20MACHINE%20TOOL%20%20NO192&f=false

[Reg]

Right you are dragonrider and I do thank you.

After reading the ad I tried it out in a vise and it flexes just as one would suspect but I still don't see where you can use it to hold on to much of anything vertical unless they are talking a thinner ( 11 ga. or so ) sheet and then not a real big piece. I think I am missing something in it's use here.
Guess for the time being will just put it back in the tool chest unless someone wants to make me a trade I cannot refuse.
Thanks again.