Answer: This mysterious object is a hand crank drill, also known as a brace or eggbeater drill!

Before electric drills invaded our workshops, this tool was the undisputed king of manual drilling.

Equipped with a wooden handle and a simple but effective gear mechanism, the brace allowed people to drill wood (and sometimes even soft metal) precisely — using nothing but wrist power.

The principle? Insert a drill bit at the front, hold the rear handle firmly, and turn the crank. The gear teeth rotate the bit smoothly and steadily. No battery needed — just elbow grease and patience!

This kind of tool dates back to the 19th century but was widely used until the 1960s–70s. Today, it’s sought after by fans of traditional DIY, antique tool collectors… and the curious who like to guess what our grandparents’ “forgotten objects” were used for.

So, did you guess it? Or did you think it was some kind of torture device for walnuts?