What would I name this tool if I were to list it on the ebay auction?
It is wooden stick 36 1/4" long and 3/8" square with an inch scale on
one side, a wine gal scale on another going u[ to 100 with what
appears to be an ivory inlay from 25 to 60. The third side has another
inch scale. The fourth side has a metal  plate (brass?) from 19 1/4"
to 29 3/4". This side also has "Belcher Bros. & Co. N.Y." The zero end
is pointed and covered with metal (brass?) for 1 5/8". The 36" end has
indentations on two sides as finger holds. I believe this tool was
intended to dip into barrels to determine th alcohol content.

Hi -

It is difficult to determine exactly what the tool is from your
description, but, there certainly are similarites to a hydrometer,
which is a tool used to determine the alcohol content of fermented
beverages (or relative densities of liquids).  Without a picture of
your tool, all I can offer is a description of hydrometers and a
suggestion of pages which you could visit to compare descriptions of
hydrometers with your device.

In essence, a hydrometer a weighted object with a scale which floats
in liquid at  a level determined by the liquid's density.  As wine (or
beer, or whatever) ferments, alcohol is produced by the yeast. 
Alcohol has a different density than water and a mixture of alcohol
and water has a density different from water that can be determined by
floating the hydrometer in the brewing mixture before and after
fermentation.  By using calibrated scales, the percentage of alcohol
in the mixture can be determined.  So, to me, it sounds as if your
tool has at least two important characteristics for a hydrometer, it
has a scale and it has a weighted end - what I can't tell from your
description is whether or not it floats...  Another object to consider
would be a "gunter" or rule used by engineer's/surveyor's, or a
slide-rule - both of which were made by Belcher Bros.


A description of hydrometers in wine-making:
http://www.grapestompers.com/articles/hydrometer_use.htm

A site with an antique hydrometer for sale (doesn't really look like
your description though)
http://www.scientiques.com/antique_measuring_instruments.htm

Pictures of numerous Belcher Bros. rules - termed "gunters" and rules
-
http://home.att.net/~seven0610.2041/2f2fgb.htm
http://www.mwtca.org/OTC/ar000004.htm - includes close-up shots
http://www.oldtools.com/Rules_Levels.html

I hope this helps you identify your mystery item.

I am very satisfied with the answer.