This is a rare 4-way splitter for allowing four listening tubes to be used at one time on a cylinder phonograph. It dates to the 1890s and is nickel plated brass. It is 3 inches long. These were used with the rubber hearing tubes (one of which I'm offering in the following listing). Two photos show it on an Edison Class M, but they really look best with a smaller, early machine, such as a suitcase Home or a Columbia N or A. The last image shows a page out of an early ...1899 Edison catalogue showing this at $1 without tubes.
See Fabrizio & Paul "Gadgets, Gizmos, and Gimmicks" page 57.
I am selling a collection of phonograph parts, accessories, advertising, and records over the next few months, so please bookmark me. I am always happy to combine shipping.