What may this old tool be?

[M1Tommy]

A guy on another forum found this critter.
It's about 6" long, and made for a purpose.
Anyone here know what it was made for?
Tommy

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[Major Tom]

To clean out crap from long stragely beards?

[Allen]

I was thinking, a back scratcher for midgets.

Seriously, if it is home made it may have just had a one time or unique use.

[Art]

To clean out crap from long stragely beards?

In the 19th century most men had facial hair, beards, moustaches, "mutton chops" etc. My great grandfather had what could best be described as a very long goatee. My mother said that when she sat on his lap she could always tell what his last meal was .

I don't know if that tool was made for beard cleaning but it sure would do the job.

[barretcreek]

I'm thinking an industrial use. Cleaning animal hair out of some processing machinery, or fibers from something.

[High Plaines Doug r]

Odd that the comb is nickel/Chrome plated where everything else is sort of primitive looking.

[M1Tommy]

Yes, the chrome plating caught my eye too.
Tommy

[one shot]

coochie comb

[dogtag]

If it's home made you'll never know what it was for, if use is not obvious, which it isn't.
If it was manufactured it will be listed in Alvin Sellens Dictionary of American hand Tools (546 pages)
showing picture of every tool English and American in use during the 19th century, early 20th.
Many have just one weird purpose.

On page 110 Under "Carpets" there's a similar tool except the fork comes
straight out from the handle. It's called a "Straining Fork" used for stretching carpet
for nailing. Also used for stretching upholstery.

[Mark in Ottawa]

Perhaps a fork for someone with a very wide mouth and big hands