Unknown spring loaded diamond tool

Another tool I have dug out of my collection that I'm not sure of its application. It appears to have a diamond in the point, which can be pushed back against the spring tension. Pulling the collar down only appears to increase the spring tension. The rod the point is attached too is a very nice fit inside, what looks like, a polished bore.

Any ideas?

Cheers, Craig

It’s only a guess, but ... I think it may be an engraving scriber for a pantograph or an X-Y plotter.

MichaelG.

Is it a hardness tester something like an automatic centre punch ?

I suspect Michael is correct. Drag engraving is used by CNC machines and utilises a spring loaded diamond similar to the device Craig has described, though rather smaller.

Stay well,

Rod

Tip for diffraction grating ruling engine and similar devices is another possibility.

Clive

Interesting ideas everybody, thanks. The hardness tester idea is a good one but this item was in a pouch just big enough for itself and I would expect instructions as well as ancillary items.

Clive I have to be honest, that's a new one on me, and even after a quick Google it looks way over my head. But for that reason it could well be a possibility for all I know.

The engraver idea seems the most plausible, the drag engraving tools certainly share some resemblance it's just, as said, this item seems quite a bit bigger. It could have been used on a large machine though I suppose.

Thank, Craig