Set 347

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1993. 15" long:

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1994. Approximately 7" long:


















1995. 30" tall:

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1996. Around 28" tall, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:
























1997. About 9" long:





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1998. The base is 14" long:

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Answers:


1993. A grafting tool, used in cleft grafting for cutting the scion into a wedge shape so that it will fit into the slot in a larger branch.

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1994. A plate from an old Majestic radio made by the Grigsby-Grunow Company, the dial knob would go into the hole at the bottom and the numbers would be seen through the larger hole at the top:


















1995. A copper whiskey still used for making alcohol in Pennsylvania during the prohibition.

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1996. A Small Time Ball that was used around 1855, this clock would sit in a railroad station or store window and was connected to a telegraph line. At precisely 1:00 P.M. daily, the Royal Observatory at Greenwich would send out a signal to all of these clocks and the ball would drop. By charging for this service, observatories could profit from keeping time. The ball we see dropped on New Year's Eve every year originated from the practice of observatories dropping a large ball from the top of the building to indicate to ships and towns the precise time each day.




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1997. A sight for a compound bow that can be adjusted for different distances, similar to the one seen here.





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1998. A bottle buster, it was most likely placed over a hole in a table with a container below to catch the glass. This device was probably used to break liquor bottles since bar owners were required to break them so that they couldn't be refilled with illegal moonshine whiskey.

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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.

Set 346

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.



1987. Approximately 24" tall:

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1988. 36" long:

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1989. 21" tall, sent in by a visitor who is looking to find the exact purpose of this stand:

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1990. Around 12" long:

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1991. About 32" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses on this device and a chance to win a prize:


























1992. 15" long:

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Answers:


1987. A 1940s IBM time clock that was used to record hours worked. Each employee was assigned a number, when arriving or leaving, the worker would swing the lever to his corresponding number and push the lever through the hole to register time in or out.

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1988. A fire hose clamp

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1989. Haven't yet been able to verify any of the guesses for this one:

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1990. A Cyclone ice chipper/shaver, patent number 1,013,823

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From Bob Roger's collection























1991. A hand held crop duster, used to apply dry chemicals including lime and insecticides to growing plants.

























1992. A Langstroth Movable Comb Beehive, it was manufactured by Rowan and Miller in Freeport, Pa., patent number 9,300.

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To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile.















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.

Set 345

For first time visitors I recommend this archive for some of my best posts.



1981. Approximately 17" tall, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses on this device and a chance to win a prize:




















1982. 14" long:

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1983. The large opening is around 12" wide:

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1984. 18" long, sent in by a visitor who is looking to find the purpose of this trough:


























1985. 18" long:

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1986. 4" diameter:

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Answers:


1981. A British Absolute Block Signaling Instrument, used to "facilitate the safe operation of a railway by preventing more than one train from occupying a defined section of route at the same time. This system is used on double or multiple lines where use of each line is assigned a direction of travel." The Millom Station is in the town of Millom in Cumbria, England.




















1982. A tool for opening wood crates, text on it reads "Mellor box opener No. 1", the patent states that it's a combination tool that could also be used for opening barrels, stretching wires, and driving and removing staples in constructing or repairing wire fences, patent number RE12458.

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1983. An X-ring Products Centrifugal Bullet Trap, a target was placed in front of the large opening, the bullets would be funneled to the back where they would be slowed down and then drop out.

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According to the seller it will take up to 45 cal. using target loads, behind the small plate at the top there is a metal clip for holding a paper target.



Patent number 4,126,311

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1984. No verifiable answer for this one yet:


























1985. "The Springfield" tire tool, text on it says "For tires 3 to 5 in":

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1986. A U.S. Signal Corps Cipher Disk, it was used during the Civil War at the Gettysburg Campaign, and was developed by Albert J. Myer, Chief Signal Officer of The Army of the Potomac. The disk was used to decode messages sent via signal flags. The hand written number 32 is a control number, used for accountability of the disk. Patent number 50,946

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The cipher disk pictured above was used by the Union, the one below is a replica of a Confederate cipher disk, which was for sale at the museum.














To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile.















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.