Guess what this is

[Crimsonthread]

Nope, no live animals involved.

[donaud]

A golfing gadget ? Or de-linter of some kind ?

[Fern]

The hint makes me think of some weird kitchen appliance to prepare non-vegetarian dishes.
Or an eco-friendly bug trap.

[ahra]

is it perhaps used to stretch and shape leather?

i think it has to do with sewing, but i'm sure i'm wrong.

[shootermagavin]

definately nothing I've seen in the kitchen before, that stuff its pulling through seems more delicate than even tissue paper. hmmmm, this is a good one.. even google isn''t helping....

i'm thinking it's real small for some reason??????????????

[Fern]

[RC-10M]

I have to agree with ahra here, i believe it has something to do with cloth... drying laundry perhaps?

[Fern]

I think shooter is right with the thing being small... the wood pieces make it look palm-size.

[Crimsonthread]

Ok, to update:

Yes to non-vegetarian dishes, but it'd be fine for pescatarians.

I'm not 100% sure on the size, but it definitely wouldn't fit in the palm of your hand.

@Fern's picture...

[Fern]

My first thought was a fish-drying tool... but it seemed so unlikely...
just like my other idea, the oyster-dripping device...
Third guess: sushi roller.

Edit: oh my, it is!

http://www.pixelydixel.com/2005/09/sushi-roller.html

[Crimsonthread]

And it's Fern, FTW!

[Fern]

Just to stay in the same category:

Hint: it's from ca. 1900.

[ahra]

it looks like an antique meat mincer. at least the handle and the clamming device there with the screw that goes on the edge of the table. but size may suggest mincing nuts or maybe something else other than meat?

[RBS]

The clamp has me puzzled. When this is being used is it still laying flat as shown or in a different position? If you clamp it to a table it will have to turn 90؛ and the hole will be pointing up or down.

[Fern]

Yes, it's clamped to the table and the hole is upwards.
I have to add that this is a /facepalm tool.