What Is It?
At first glance, this object might appear to be a toy or a mystery gadget. In reality, it is a button hook used to fasten shoes or boots, particularly those with small, hard-to-grasp buttons. Often part of everyday life in the late 1800s and early 1900s, these tools made dressing significantly easier, especially when dealing with tight buttoned boots or gloves.
The red plastic part serves as a grip, while the metal hook mechanism is designed to slide through buttonholes, grab the button, and pull it through — a practical solution before elastic or slip-on options became widely available.
