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, August 09, 2007

Set 192



1055. 6-7/8" long, the pointer on the top is made of a thin piece of steel and will easily spring back and forth:








The knob on the back loosens the front and allows it to be rotated:

Turning the part on the far left moves the indicator in the center and adjusts the tension on the pointer.


The lower piece can also be rotated and then locked into place with the knob on the right:

The black part at the very bottom appears to be made of bakelite.












1056. 4" long:













1057. 6" diameter:
















1058. 24" long:
















1059. 40" tall:

Larger image












1060. The brass base is 3-1/4" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses on this device.










































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.

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posted by Rob H. at 4:14 AM

8 Comments:

  • 1057. Nightwatchmans clock
    1058. Chain for securing cars on a rollback truck

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8/09/2007 4:31 AM  

  • 1055 - looks like the top bit is used to measure A.C. line frequency, but what the rest does, I have no idea.

    1056 - 3 pound diving weight?

    By Blogger Ray, at 8/09/2007 5:53 AM  

  • 1055 Alignment indicator for a light bulb socket. Possibly for a film projector.
    1056 Scuba weight
    1057 You can still buy these "guard tour verification" clocks.
    1059 Small planetarium projector
    1060 Rivet setter

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8/09/2007 6:00 AM  

  • 1055. A device for calibrating the vibration testing of lighting fixtures?

    1058 Sling hooks? Not sure exactly what they're slinging.
    Jim A.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8/09/2007 8:07 AM  

  • 1058: I'm pretty sure they're "cow kickers," you put one hook on each of the back legs of a cow to keep it from kicking you when you're milking it. My Mom grew up on a farm and I think she has one of those from the old days.

    By Blogger Kat, at 8/09/2007 9:35 AM  

  • Correct answers so far:

    1055. Light socket vibration tester

    1056. Diver's weight

    1057. Nightwatchman's clock

    1059. Planetarium projector

    By Blogger Rob H., at 8/10/2007 4:13 PM  

  • You know, after seeing the inside, 1055 MIGHT test AC frequency if it was screwed into a socked located on a generator or motor. The clue being that the linear scale obviously tunes the frequency and is calibrated between ~50 and ~90. The vibrations are going to be in frequency with the power. Jim A

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8/11/2007 4:39 AM  

  • I'm not sure about the "diving weight" there, it has a logo from a chain of bowling alleys "AMF" on it, it's pretty distinctive with the triangle over the M.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11/15/2007 1:05 PM  

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