Featured Older tool found, can't seem to place it, any ideas?

I found this at my grandparents house, but haven't been able to find an answer online. So, I'm coming to the experts!

There are 2 markings on the tool that say (I think anyway), "The Bow" or "The Row" or "The Zow". The other side looks to be a patent date that says "Pat.Apr.19.1870". I dug through the US patents for that date but came up empty after opening all 257 results. The piece towards the bottom does take some force to open it wider, but more closed is its natural resting position.

Anyway, here's to hoping!

 

Looks to me like a wood thread making tool of some sort. Better wait for the experts.
Excuse my manners. Welcome to the forum.

 

Kyle Myers, just curious but are you in the USA or another country?

What country did you find it in?

What country did your grandparents/other relatives come from if not the USA?

Did you find it in with "kitchen" things or among "regular" tools such as saws, pliers, files, hammers, etc.?

Did you find it in the house or out in a shed/garage?

Did your grandfather's occupation call for/have a variety of tools?

Did any relatives of your grandfather perhaps have a specific job/work which might have called for that tool?

 

looks like it would grip something under pressure...

 

@anundverkaufen Hey, well done there mate! - Never would have guessed!

 

ahh Shucks !!! Yay Anund !!

 

I was almost right. They are both full of cellulose.

 

Hi,
Just woke up. It is indeed a corn sheller. I had one similar. It was better than using your hands to do the work. The chickens enjoyed all of the hard work.
greg

 

Good find!

The patent was actually granted on April 12, 1870. Here's a result from the Google patents search:
https://patents.google.com/patent/U...ore=priority:18700430&after=priority:18700101

this link should go to a PDF for the published patent:
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/a5/4e/e0/feba8d6df3786a/US101949.pdf

 

WOW! You guys are absolutely awesome! I can't thank you enough!

You were even able to find a patent that quickly, unreal.

I'll do my best, but my grandparents are from Pennsylvania in the United States. It was found in a box of some other items that they had but nothing specific. This tool wouldn't have been something they would've used themselves, rather it's something they've acquired I'm sure. Funnily enough, the answer @anundverkaufen provided shows on that site that it's from Harrisburg, PA. We just outside an hour away.

Everyone, thanks again! You just made my weekend!

 

First thing I thought of was a corn sheller .... must have been a farmer in a past life .... has to do something with the German Indiana roots of 1831 I guess.......