Set 379

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2185. Approximately 6" long:

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2186. Around 4" wide:

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2187. 7" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a T-shirt:

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2188. 16" long:

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2189. Sent in by a visitor who is looking to find the purpose of this device, it was found in the woods in Oregon:

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2190. 1" diameter:


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Answers:



2185. A Cole Hersee work light for use by an auto mechanic, the small end was plugged into a light socket on a vehicle, the bulb has a cover so it would be protected in a toolbox:

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2186. A device for drying seed corn, patent number 1,069,595:



































2187. A hand-forged key, probably for a very old pin tumbler sliding bolt, similar to an ancient Egyptian lock.

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2188. These are wimbles for winding straw rope which was used as a binder for corn or wheat, to line thatched roofs, and as a packing material for various goods, similar devices can be seen here.

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2189. No answer yet for this device, looks like some type of burner:

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2190. A cigar punch cutter for making a hole in the end of a large cigar:















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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 378

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



2179. Approximately 7" long, the end at the top left is threaded on the inside:

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2180. 6" long, sent in by a visitor who is looking for the purpose of this tool:

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2181. 24" long, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses and a chance to win a t-shirt:

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2182. 7" long, another unidentified tool that was submitted by a visitor:

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2183. 3-1/2" long:




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2184. 4" long:

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Answers:


2179. An Aber flue scraper, for cleaning boiler flues, patent number 1,390,072:

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2180. Possibly a watchmaker's bluing pan for tempering small parts, or for use in a laboratory:

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2181. A dibble board, for making making holes in the soil to plant a large number of seeds:

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2182. Haven't been able to verify any of these guesses:
-typewriter repair tool
-lineman's tool
-customs official's tool for securing goods

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2183. A Wheatley fly box for holding a fisherman's wet flies:




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2184. A distance gauge for use on a map:

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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 377

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

2173. Approximately 4-1/2" long:

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2174. 12" long:

2175. The next four items were all used for the same purpose.

2175a. The plates are around 3" square and can be moved farther apart:

2175b. About 5-1/2" long, the upper part on the left can slide along the cylinder:

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2175c. 6" tall:

2175d. Aproximately 3" wide, take a look at Neatorama for more guesses on this device and a chance to win a T-shirt:

2176. Around 14" long:

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2177. 11" tall:

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2178. Sent in by a visitor who is looking to find the purpose of this item:

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Answers:


2173. These are stripper clips for an M1903 Springfield bolt action rifle, they held five bullets and allowed a soldier to fill the magazine of his rifle quickly:

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This video has a different clip but shows the general idea of how it's used:


























2174. A nutcracker:
























2175. These are all apothecary powder paper folders for use by a chemist back when they sold medicine in powder form, the powder was placed on a small sheet of glassine paper that was then folded a few times (all parallel folds so it formed a long rectangular shape), they would then fold the ends by placing the paper on one of these folders and using it as a guide.

Prior to the invention of tablets, many medicines were supplied in the form of powders. The adjustable folders were used to ensure that all the separately wrapped powders were folded to the same length to make a professional appearance, the doses were then placed into a box and given to patients.



2175a.




2175b.

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2175c. More photos of this one can be seen here




2175d. This folder sold for around $100 on ebay:

























2176. A dehorner for use on young cattle, before their horns were very long, patent number 601,996:

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2177. This was part of the same museum display as the black powder paper folder seen above, it's a leech jar for use by a physician:

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2178. Best guess so far on this one is that it's some type of finial:

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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.