What is it?

I've been collecting unusual objects for quite a while, and several years ago I started posting them on this site as puzzles for visitors to figure out what they are. Most of the items are mine but a few belong to others, if you aren't interested in tools there are plenty of other type objects that have also been posted.

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for a wide variety of some of my best pieces.

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Set 152



872. The metal frame is 4-7/16" long x 2-1/4" wide:




The main part hangs freely and will stay in the same position as the frame is rotated 360 degrees or more.


When in use, the device is kept in this round box:


Opening the flaps reveals a hole and a slot into which the frame fits:












873. 62" long:












874. 10" x 6" tall, sent in by a visitor looking to identify it:


It appears like it was meant to be mounted on a pole and works like a vise when the two brass knobs are turned. The center knob raises and lowers the mechanism.














875. 14" long x 12-1/2" wide:














876. 9-1/2" x 5-1/2", another unidentified item submitted by a visitor. Text on one side reads "ROYAL MFG BY E C STEARNS & CO SYRACUSE NY", and the other has "Patented Dec 5 '76, Jan 16 '77, Feb 6 '83 and Oct 9 '83."












877. Approximately 5" tall, more guesses for this tool can be found on Neatorama, this week he is offering a t-shirt for the first correct answer.

































Answers
























Last week's set is seen below, click here to view the entire post:








More discussion and comments on these photos can be found at the newsgroup rec.puzzles.



posted by Rob H. at 4:17 AM

5 Comments:

  • 876 A top roller assembly for a parlor pocket door. A missing part would be a double wheel unit flanged like railroad car wheels that would ride under the top bar for frictionless operation. This unit was intended to run on wooden track with a slot in the middle. Screw on the end is for fine tuning door height and plumb.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1/11/2007 10:31 AM  

  • 872-If the case were rolled like a wheel --the thing would count it's own rotations. Or if the case were attached to something that turned it would also count rotations. Chas

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1/11/2007 7:30 PM  

  • a pedometer

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1/11/2007 11:33 PM  

  • 874.
    A (small sized version of a) device used to straighten metal tubing, piping or small firearms barrels. The operator would sight through the bore against or opposite an appropriate light source, and with training and practice detect the slightest deviation from linearity, and correct this by bending the tube or barrel using the knobs to apply appropriate force at the points needed.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1/11/2007 11:57 PM  

  • >876 A top roller assembly for a parlor pocket door...

    Thanks for your help in identifying this one.

    >872-If the case were rolled like a wheel --the thing would count it's own rotations...

    Correct, it's mounts onto a carriage wheel.


    >874. A (small sized version of a) device used to straighten metal tubing, piping or small firearms barrels...

    Thanks, I haven't been able to confirm it, but this seems like it would be correct.

    The rest of the answers have been posted on the answer page.

    By Blogger Rob H., at 1/12/2007 6:21 PM  

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