This item is a Scovill Extension Tripod, a wooden photographic tripod that was manufactured in the 1880's. I have included a copy of a catalog page from the 1886 Scovill catalog describing this tripod. (I expect this is the smallest size, No. 1).
The tripod stands 31 inches high when collapsed and 52 inches high when extended. The head plate is threaded and the mount screw included with this has a 5/16-18 thread rather than today's typical 1/4-20. The mount screw can easily be removed and replaced with a 1/4-20 screw by the buyer.
Note that I added some chains between the legs, which can be removed by the buyer. The spiked feet of the tripod slide on hard surface floors - the chains add stability. (The tripod was meant to be used outside).