you are missing some parts, but it looks like a double wool winder to me.

Thanks for that, do you know of an image of a complete one?

My mistake - it's not a double winder, it's a single. You are missing the connecting rods and part of the crank

Here's a fancy metal one - The more common style had a "croquet mallet" looking arm on the axle because it's easier to make, a few fancy ones had a two wheels connected by crossbars. connected

https://www.hungerfordarcade.com/2015/10/27/hungerford-arcade-victorian-winder/ 

I am not convinced but thanks anyway.

Might think ti was for plying yarn...but am puzzled by the hand crank...as plying yarn requires 2 hands.

Might that be what the two spindles at the end with holes in are for?

I thought they were the spark plugs...;-)