Does anyone know what this is? (antique tapper?)

So I purchased this on ebay last night because I like collecting interesting old beer items. Has anyone ever seen one of these or know what it is ? I was hoping that I could hook a beer line to it, but it almost looks as if it sinks into a barrel or something? If anyone could shed some light on what I have or how its intended to be used i would be grateful. I have not yet recieved it in the mail.

Lets see if I can get some bigger pictures

I believe that is a 'gonkulator'

unionrdr said:

Looks like a beer engine to me. The old kind where you had to keep pumping a few strokes to fill a glass.

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I'd agree with that as well. Looks like it would sit down into the bunghole of a stevens keg.

Whiskey said:

I'd agree with that as well. Looks like it would sit down into the bunghole of a stevens keg.

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Really must be pretty old then right? So it would just siphon uncarbonated beer out of a wooden barrel you think? Would something that old have the same threads for a newer tap handle though?

unionrdr said:

Cask ales are carbonated. If the name on the handle is original,Then it should fit someting modern.

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So you are thinking that its not a beer engine then? Perhaps not that old ?

Looks like a syrup pump from an old "soda jerk" type set-up. Some one probably put a beer handle on it to make it look beer related.

whitehause said:

Looks like a syrup pump from an old "soda jerk" type set-up. Some one probably put a beer handle on it to make it look beer related.

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I think you hit it on the head. The handle did not go with the item, it would hit the nozzle when you tried to pull it. Upon taking it apart, there was syrup dried up inside. Still a pretty cool item, i'll find some use for it !!

Soda fountain syrup pump for sure. Depending on age could be worth several hundred bucks.. Too bad the original handle has been replaced.

bosco