What could this be ?

[540cheapfinds]

Bought this yesterday at an estate sale.  Seller did not know what it was, thought I would try to figure this out.  No luck.  It is about 2 1/4 inches long and made of silver metal. Has a bail on the end.  When you push the bail end in the other side opens.  I tried chatelaine to fly fishing.  There are no marks.  Thought you might want to join me on my short trip to crazy.

[argon38]

Are those circular ridges on the barrel, or is it a continuous thread?

[pixzee]

Is it a kind of pin vise?

[newnewnewmann]

It almost looks like an old exacto or hobby knife, the slot would fit the square end blades.

I don't know if that's what you have; the blade would have to retract a bit when you released the button to "lock it" from moving around, or maybe the button end twists to clamp it? Just guessing.

[maxine*j]

Since it's only 2.5" long, it seems unlikely.  Seems too short for a pin vise, too.  Both good ideas based on the general aspect, but that 2.5" length...  ?  Beats me.

[sonomabarn67]

It reminds me of a fish hook extractor.

[540cheapfinds]

Thanks for the ideas.  Friend said maybe to hold thread?  There is no rust on it maybe sterling?  

[big-apple-estates]

Some kind of bit it has threads guessing some sort of drill bit

[540cheapfinds]

The threads are like a screw.  The tip is hollow like a mouth.  Still asking everyone I know.. No luck