What is this?

[Treetotal]

I too thought it could be an early steam iron...scroll down to see something similar:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Moms-old-Iron-Signpost-of-Technology

http://victoriancollections.net.au/items/4f72c00397f83e0308606d07

Carol

[Ruskie]

Further to Joe's question ... Is the bottom of the pipe open, or does it feed into the sole plate?

A week or two ago I went to an antiques fair and saw a couple of old irons. I wish I had taken more notice, but they had round 'balls' sticking up from the irons, which I thought were to hold water. They looked more rubber than metal though and were not so raised above the iron as this one. Maybe the receptacle in the picture held a container of water with a drip pipe going down inside the pipe as has already been mentioned.

It seems a fairly inefficent system when water could just be sprinkled or flicked onto the garment prior to ironing.

Added: images posted by treetotal are similar to the ones I saw.

[Mike in Cumbria]

I'm starting to backtrack! Originally I thought it might have been an early steam iron but:

1. None of the images I have found look anything like this. The iron does seem to be a normal flat iron with this attachment added later,

2. I wonder whether you could even use it as an iron, with that bend in the tube being so close the handle.  Kerrenhapuch - could you try holding it as if you were using it as an iron and let us know how it feels?

I wonder whether Rudolf is right - the iron is just being used as a heavy weight to support the "thing". Any sign of candle wax in the funnel?

Mike

[amber42]

The pipe at the bottom is not pinched, so the water would flow straight out. The pipe is slightly curved so as not to restrict your hand as you hold it.

[Mike in Cumbria]

Yes  it is. Perhaps a rubber pipe could be attached as the pipe stands a little proud in bottom of funnel  as funnel itself would be too small to hold much water.

How much does the tube protrude?

I'm wondering whether it's a home made steam iron. If a rubber tube could be attached to the pipe, steam could be pumped through and down to the iron. The funnel could be to catch any leakage. It's a bit Heath Robinson-ish though.

[spices]

I agree the pipe looks like it was soldered on.
Was thinking of HOT something going into the top could burn you if it spills when ironing.

My thought was to keep the plate hot but not sure how

[Treetotal]

It wouldn't work for me....I'm left handed...and the base on other early steam irons have a deeper base to hold the water..I'm with Rudolph...I think it's a flat iron fashioned to function as a candle holder or an oil lamp or burner.
Carol

[amber42]

The pipe does not go into the iron. The pipe bends just where your thumb joint is. It would be functional as an iron but not comfortable if you had large hands.

[joboy]

To feed a liquid or water would make sense for a one-handed person.

But is it still easy to handle it as iron?

If not, it might be a secondary use as candlestick.
Just a heavy thing to hold a candle.

In Germany there is a TV show "Dings vom Dach" - things found in the attic ...

Rudolf

I think I'll go along with Rudolph it could be a rejigged old flat iron as a candle stick and the flat iron's weight would keep it stable and not fall over easily.
Joe