An odd piece of office stationery

[AndrewKluth]

I have just been given an odd device, which was found in a desk by a colleague moving in to his new office, and asked to find its purpose. This is about the same size as, and looks like, the pens that we used to see on counters in banks, with a tapered end. The shaft is made of a lightweight, non-ferrous and non-tarnishing metal or alloy that looks a little like aluminium or slightly brushed stainless steel. However, instead of a pen nib, it has a ball and socket attachment at the business end. The ball is set into the shaft via a plastic mount that gives a limited (less than 1mm) vertical play. The attachment itself is a free-moving flat brass disc about 9mm in diameter which rotates freely and allows the shaft to rock about 60 degrees off the perpendicular. The ball and socket mount is not stiff and the shaft does not balance on the brass disc if set upright.

Does anybody have any idea what this is or where I might be able to find an answer?
Andrew

 

[ietech]

I believe you have found a phone dialer for our wonderful old dial type phones. You know -- for use in place of a finger.

ietech

 

[luckylar]

luckylar
I think you have found the remains of a pen holder. You know stuck to a piece ofthimber with a name plate on it