Countless contraptions that revolutionized farming in the 19th and early 20th centuries have become contemporary curiosities or even mysteries. Here are six sent in by readers. Do you know what they are?
Answers to the December 2023 items will appear in the February 2024 issue.
Answers for new items in this issue must be received by Dec. 4, 2023.
A. Marked J Allender. Small lone circle on top end marked ONE DOL. Bigger circles marked (front the bottom, working up) TEN DOL, TWENTY DOL, FIVE DOL, (illegible).
Coin tester used as a balance “for detecting spurious coin.” Identified by Nick Caldiero, Afton, N.Y.; Andy Hastings, Rio Vista, Calif.; Kevin Hagen, Valparaiso, Ind.; Jim Price, Homer, N.Y.; Gary Muthig, Parksville, N.Y.; Harold Kaufman, Porterfield, Wis.; Bruce Granger, Prior Lake, Minn.; and Bill Olin, Ninevah, N.Y.
“This was used to spot shaved coins,” Andy says. “Back in the day, coins were made of gold and silver. Crooks would shave down the edges, collecting the shavings and selling them to brokers. If the coin would not fit in the depression, it was assumed to be good.”
B. Tool measures 10 inches long. Handle with crank goes out 1 inch on the piercing end. When the handle is turned, the brass shaft (which has a small opening in the pointed end) goes up and down. At the base is a half-round form that could straddle a wire, rope or cable.
Perfection Embroidery Machine used to embroider or weave rugs and other textiles. Identified by Randy Winland, Prospect, Ohio; Stan Seevers, Argenta, Ill.; Kevin Hagen; Robert Scholz, Elmo, Mo.; Gary Muthig; Bruce Granger; and Don Snyder, Decatur, Ill. Photo submitted by Ken Manzari, Genoa, N.Y.
C. Wood handles measure 14 inches long: The long portion is 10 inches long; brackets to screws with thin loops and wing nuts.
Universal saw handles for a two-man saw. Identified by Ron Ratajczak, Newton, Wis.; Randy Winland; Andy Hastings; Bill Stroh, Sinclairville, N.Y.; Lew Payne, Remsen, N.Y.; Gary Muthig; John Wilding, Hermann, Mo.; Ken Rau, Altamont, N.Y.; Guy Farmer, Thompson Falls, Mt.; Roy Parmeter, Duncans Mills, Calif.; Robert Palte, Glandorf, Ohio; Mahlon J. Gingerich, Smiths Grove, Ky.; Jim Sund, Webber, Kan.; Timothy Potaczek, Cornell, Wis.; John Heath, Sullivan, Ohio; and Harold Kaufman. Photo submitted by Fletcher Taft and Francestown (N.H.) Heritage Museum.
D. No description provided.
Wire working tool used to install, stretch and repair barbed wire fencing. As shown, the tool is missing a small “S” hook on the short stub. Identified by Nick Caldiero; Randy Winland; Kevin Hagen; Don Snyder; John Heath; Bruce Granger; and Harold Kaufman (who identifies it as a 1904 Strieby & Foote / Coulter Co. tool). See Patent No. 667,854 for a similar tool.
E. No description provided.
Lock wire pliers (also known as safety wire pliers) are commonly used in aircraft maintenance. Identified by Lew Studer, Pasco, Wash.; Ron Ratajczak; Ralph Hurlbert, Raymond, S.D.; Lindsey Arnold III, Hawk Springs, Wyo.; Louie Kevilus, Argonne, Wis.; John D. Crockett, East Falmouth, Mass.; Nick Caldiero; Randy Winland; Garrison Brown, Eastville, Va.; Larry Harpster, Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa.; Fred Aten, Hutchinson, Minn.; Stan Seevers; Andy Hastings; Mitch Daly, Baldwin, Md.; C.J. Shortridge, Dagsboro, Del.; Kevin Hagen; Dan Bennett; Bill Stroh; Steve Willis, Prosperity, S.C.; Larry Novotny; Robert Scholz; Robert Martin, Brookport, Ill.; William Evans, St. Joseph, Mo.;
Barry Walbert, Emmaus, Pa.; Allen Linnell, St. Croix Falls, Wis.; Linwood Windsor, Onancock, Va.; Gary Muthig; John Wilding; Don Snyder; Dean Applegate, Oakland, Iowa; Bob Gibbs, Epworth, Iowa; Caleb Mann, McVeytown, Pa.; Guy Farmer; Ray Stumpe, Lakeland, Fla.; Harold Kaufman; Billy Gilbert, Apex, N.C.; Mike Rocca, Rochester, Iowa; Joe Acri, Enola, Pa.; Marty Vinson, Lake St. Louis, Mo.; Michael R. White, Oconomowoc, Wis.; Gordy Brekken, Detroit Lakes, Minn.; Jim Sund; Ronald Michael, Independence, Iowa; John Ensign, Peru, Ind.; Duane G. Ennen, Rapid City, S.D.; Bruce Granger; and George Hallam, Carroll, Iowa.
“The ends of the wire are pinched together at the pliers’ end, and handles are locked together via that little hook at the end of the lower handle,” John Crockett explains. “Now the corkscrew-like plunger is pulled back, spinning the locked-on wires and pliers as needed.” Photo submitted by Kyle Haugenoe.
F. Marked H BOKER.
Loose hay knife. Identified by Stan Seevers; Larry Harpster; Kevin Hagen; Bill Stroh; Lew Payne; Robert Scholz; Gary Muthig; John Wilding; Don Snyder; Ron Ratajczak; Nick Caldiero; Bill Olin; George Hallam; John Heath; Bruce Granger; and Harold Kaufman.
“This, in my estimation, is the earliest variety of hay knife,” John Wilding says. “Later, they were designed more efficiently, with the later versions made so you could use a foot to increase the effort of cutting.” Nick Caldiero adds: “H Boker likely refers to the Böker brothers, Hermann, Heinrich and Robert, who manufactured bladed products in Germany. The Boker company remains in business today.” Photo submitted by Ray Waldner, Hitchcock, S.D.
To submit photos:
Send prints to Farm Collector, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609. Send digital images to editor@farmcollector.com.
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- Digital photos should be sent as .jpgs at a minimum of 300 dpi.
To identify an item:
Send answers (with your name and address) to Farm Collector, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609. Email responses may be sent to editor@farmcollector.com.
Answers for new items shown in this issue must be received by Dec 4. 2023
