At first glance, this strange metal object could easily be mistaken for some kind of kitchen gadget, antique clamp, or even an old beauty tool. But its broad curved blade and long ring-operated arms point to something completely different. It appears to be an older gynecological speculum or vaginal retractor, a medical instrument designed to gently hold tissue apart so a doctor can examine the vaginal canal and cervix or perform certain procedures. Speculums have existed in many shapes and designs, so older versions can look surprisingly different from the familiar modern “duckbill” design.

The curved metal section serves as the retractor or blade. Depending on the particular design, the ring-shaped controls allow the physician to position, widen, or stabilize parts of the instrument. Similar vaginal retractors use concave, rounded blades to hold the vaginal walls away from the doctor’s field of view, while other speculum designs use two blades that open apart. Medical catalogs still list a wide variety of vaginal specula and retractors today.

That also explains why searching for “vaginal speculum” online may initially make this identification seem wrong. The common disposable plastic speculum seen today looks nothing like many older surgical instruments. Historical collections contain metal Sims, Cusco, Auvard, Ferguson and other patterns, each built somewhat differently depending on its intended examination or procedure.

So if something like this suddenly appears in an old drawer, the appearance is definitely enough to cause some confusion. It isn’t a mysterious household gadget, and it isn’t a hair tool. It’s most likely a vintage gynecological speculum/retractor. From this single photograph I wouldn’t claim the exact model with certainty, but its overall construction is consistent with medical instruments used for gynecological examination and retraction.