Anybody Know What This Is?

gents,
Found this out behind the barn at the new place I bought. I don't have a clue as to what it is.

Both the bottom and top have a patent date of July 31, 1900. The top part has a hinged side that flops down to 90 degrees.

I thought about some kind of brake, but it is height adjustable and it doesn't have any other writing. Yep, I punched the patent number in over at the patent site, but it couldn't come up with a match.

Ideas?...Theories?

Mikey

Left Side

Right Side

The castings on the bottom say "Covel Mfg, Pat july 31, 1900. There is also a casting that says "971D". The front flops down, there is no crank to use it as a clamp.

This bugger is about 18" wide at the top, approx 3 feet tall, and weighs about 55 lbs.

I'm going to blast it and paint it black. Then I'm going to stick it out in the yard by the frost free to hang hoses on. Should be a good conversation starter!

My nickels worth,

Mikey