No, the holes don't go all the way through. But it's close.
I've acquired this thing recently. It's solid wood and none of the parts move. The handle is firmly attached. It measures 14" tall. It comes with three different sized holes: 1-1/4", 1", and 7/8".
So far, my guesses are: misc. tool holder, tobacco pipe rack, communion cup holder, crochet needle holder, or shot glass flight tray. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you everyone for your responses. I think I'm going to agree with the posts that this is a cylindrical square. And most likely shop made. The four holes may have had a obscure use specific to the shop.
The thought did cross my mind early on.
I recently bought a few machinist chests full of tools and other goodies. I'm not a machinist myself, but I'm familiar with a lot of the tools associated with the trade. This piece is a smooth solid steel cylinder with four equal spaced holes bored completely through it. It measures approximately 5.5" long and 2.25" diameter. Weighs almost 4-1/2 lbs. The end has stamped "Feb. 48 Eddie Champ." The other end is identical minus the engraving.
I suspect it might be a cylindrical square, but I've not seen examples quite like this. It came with a plastic sleeve.
Thank you to everyone who commented. I think a crochet hook holder seems to be the most likely purpose. The different sized holes that the others have shown may confirm it. I like the masher idea but the holes don't go all the way through so that idea is out. I like the thought of using it as a gavel too, but that can't be it.