Set 331

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



1897. 10" long:

Larger image


The cord can be pulled out 100':



























1898. 8" long:

































1899. This was sent in by a visitor who is looking to find out what it's for:

Larger image




Larger image























1900. 32" tall, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses on this one and a chance to win a T-shirt:





























1901. This photo was shot in the basement of a house built in 1820, the idea here is to describe the purpose of this 36" x 84" x 14" hole in the floor.







































1902. 2-1/2" diameter, another unidentified item:





Larger image












Answers:


1897. A Heathkit Thermo Spotter, it's a temperature indicating device for use by fishermen, a weight was attached to the cord which was then lowered into the water, when the red button was pressed the gauge would be activated, the knob with the screw was used to wind the cord back in:

Larger image






The cord is marked as indicated by this chart:



There are also two charts that show what temperatures are preferred by certain fish:






























1898. An automobile tool, the point on the large handle is a cotter pin puller, the end of the smaller handle is a screwdriver, it also has two wrench sockets and can be used to cut wire, patent number 975,694:

































1899. Probably a device for dispensing packaging tape, it has a small container for water so it was most likely used with tape that had dried glue on one side.

Larger image




Larger image























1900. A lightning rod:





























1901. A tanning pit for processing animal hides in the Samuel Smith Tannery, from this site:

In the next phase of leather production, the hides were combined with oak, beech or willow bark, which would provide the tannic acid necessary in preserving and coloring the hide. Other acidic additives to this dressing included sour milk, cider pressings and ferment of rye, recipes varying according to the materials at hand, the weather and the ultimate finish desired. Bark was spread in the bottom of the tanning pit, then hides and bark alternately stacked until the pit is full. A foot of tanbark covered the pit, and the whole well trampled down and kept moistened for three months.

A full description of the process can be found at the link.








































1902. Haven't been able to verify any of these guesses:
-ice shaver
-wood plane
-pencil sharpener
-food slicer
-bench dog
-hide scraper
-hoof trimmer





Larger image















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.








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