Thursday, December 30, 2010

Set 369

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2125. This briefcase was modified for a specific purpose:





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2126. The larger items are around 1-1/4" diameter:

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Pushing the lever on the side opens the hole that can be seen on the bottom:

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2127. Approximately 6-3/4" long, 1-1/2" diameter, this was submitted by a visitor who is looking to find its exact purpose, it has three separate compartments:

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2128. 11" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:



























2129. About 6" long, this unidentified device was sent in by a visitor:






















2130. The large part in the center is 6-1/2" long:































Answers:



2125. A bomb training briefcase, it was used in the 1980s to show several ways a bomb could be triggered. OSI Technical Services installed electronic switches to detonate the "bomb" under various circumstances. If the lid was opened, a light-sensitive photocell set off the device. X-raying the briefcase activated a brass sensor, and a mercury-filled switch set off the bomb if the case was moved. Touch sensors on the latches also set it off. A noise from the black speaker indicated an "explosion."

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2126. These are all powder measure caps from powder flasks:

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2127. A plumber's container for holding grease, rosin, and flour, all were necessary for the soldering process of assembling the joints of lead pipe. A similar grease and rosin box can be seen here.

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2128. A firestarter, it was kept in a pot of kerosene by the fireplace, to start a fire it was taken out of the pot, lit, and placed under the logs where it would burn for ten or fifteen minutes. The inside of the coil is filled with asbestos.
























2129. A Brass Letter Press Nutcracker that is missing its wooden handle:






















2130. The wedge from a hydraulic wood splitter:







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When researching the log splitter I found several videos that show some other techniques of splitting wood:
















Happy New Year!









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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.

5 comments:

  1. 2130 - Looks like a electric or hydraulic log splitter.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The briefcase-maybe some sort of "spy" device?
    The last one looks to be part of a stomp shear.
    Frau

    ReplyDelete
  3. 2125 - A briefcase with alarm? Probably sound if moved.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just want to wish you a Happy New Year, and thank you for doing this every week.

    ReplyDelete