Old design, this one made by J. A. Storer, circa 1990.
(two brass pieces, one with nylon cord attached, 3/4 inch diameter, 3 inches long)

The task is to separate the loop (attached to the ball) from the brass rod. This is a basic example of an entangled loop puzzle (e.g., see Coffin's Puzzle Craft book). To solve, pass the end of the loop through the holes, arond the ball, and back through the holes.