1813. 2-3/8" long, submitted by a visitor who is looking to identify this device:
More photos of it can be seen here
The device disassembled:
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1814. 26" long:
1815. The large metal part is about 5" long:
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1816. 30" long:
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1817. Approximately 12" in length, the two long pieces can be rotated, next to the small piece of wood there are two springs:
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1818. 3-1/2" long:
Answers:
1813. This is a hydraulic lifter, a device for maintaining zero valve clearance in an internal combustion engine.
More photos of it can be seen here
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1814. A gauge from a 1920s 'visible gas' pump, gas was pumped into the clear container on top of the pump, it was then fed by gravity into a customer's tank.
The two pumps on the right are 'visible gas' pumps:
The problem with this gauge was that it wasn't very accurate.
1815. A choker hook for use by loggers "to form a slip loop within which one or more logs can be held for dragging or carrying by the cable." Patent number 2,828,156
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1816. A gambrel, or gamb'lin stick, used at farm butchering time to hold firm the hind legs of hogs hung for cooling before cutting.
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1817. A harmonica holder, the two long pieces need to be rotated 90 degrees so that they can be placed on the performer's shoulders, the harmonica is held between the small piece of wood and the metal bar. Modern versions can be seen here.
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1818. A playing card throwing star, similar to a ninja throwing star:
This photo is for testing your memory on items which have all been posted before, scroll down to see the answers.
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Back row starting from the left:
1. Printer's type gauge used for measuring type for wear
2. Flue cleaner for an old steam tractor
3. Poison bottle
4. Spring compressor for an old automobile
5. Military blasting cap circuit testing device
Middle row:
6. Spark tester for small engines
7. Fusible link, a fire protection device, it was used as a link in a chain that held open large, heavy warehouse doors, heat from the fire would cause the low melting point metal in the middle to liquefy, thus breaking the chain and allowing the door to close.
Front row:
8. Speed indicator
9. Nut from a bank vault door
10. Shutter dog, mounted on the outside of a house to keep the shutters open
Happy New Year!
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Last week's set is seen below, click here to view the entire post.
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More discussion and comments on these photos can be found at the newsgroup rec.puzzles.
