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 April 2023 items will appear in the June 2023 issue.
Photo submitted by Deanna Allen, St. Joseph, Mo.
A. No markings.
Antique Japanese ink snap-line tool. “A string is wound up on the reel using the crank handle,” he explains. “The string is fed out through a hole in the front through a sponge that is soaked with ink. To make a mark on a piece of lumber, the user pulls the line out through the sponge, holds the line taut, pulls it up and snaps it. This leaves a nice, neat, inked straight line as a guide in sawing. The string is then rewound on the reel to prepare for the next use.
“In the picture, there seems to be a piece of yellow paper where the sponge should be. The stepped back of the device serves as the handle, and is mostly ornamental. In the U.S., the equivalent tool is the chalk snap-line. A string is drawn through a chamber containing chalk, often red or blue, which coats the string. The string is then snapped to give a clean, straight mark on the material. It is used by carpenters, roofers, siding installers, etc.”
Identified by Mike Intlekofer, Bellevue, Wash
Bill McAuleuy, curator of the Francestown (N.H.) Heritage Museum, agrees with Mike Intlekofer’s identification of this as a Japanese ink snap-line tool, but adds that the tool is known as a sumisubo.
B. Item measures 30 inches in length, has a threaded handle and is marked 285W on the sliding flange. Several were found hanging together in an old barn, possibly used in pairs.
Adjustable device designed to hold a wagon bed to make it grain-tight. Two would be installed on each side of the wagon bed
Identified by Harold Eddy, Slater, Mo.
Photos submitted by Jim Frank, Springfield, Ill.
C. The side with the spring under it can be pushed down. No markings. Possibly fits into another bracket.
No positive identification.
Photo submitted by Ray and Rita Waldner, Hitchcock, S.D.
D. Tool measures 6 inches long with an open notch at the tip.
Gas and burner pliers.
Identified by Ron Ratajczak, Newton, Wis.; Nick Caldiero, Afton, N.Y.; Josh Oman; and Bob Thurlby, Montgomery, Ill.
Photo submitted by Marvin Ball, Ferrisburgh, Vt.
E. No information provided.
Round sickle-style downspout hook.
Identified by Gregg and Jeff Arch, Kewanee, Ill.; Richard Thompson, Montoursville, Pa.; Stan Seevers, Argenta, Ill.; Ron Ratajczak; Ivan Hanson, Palmyra, Pa.; Ted Hargis, Country Club, Mo.; Josh Oman; Harold Kaufman, Porterfield, Wis.; Nick Caldiero; and Jerry Kline, South Bend, Ind.
“Early gutter and downspouts were round,” Stan says. “The anchor would be driven into a log cabin or brick mortar joint after a hole was drilled prior to fastening the anchor. The downspouts were 2-1/5 to 4 inches in diameter.”
Photo submitted by Larry Bensheimer, Bargersville, Ind.
F. Piece made of cast iron. Weighs 10 lbs. and measures 17 inches long by almost 13 inches wide. Circle measures 10 inches wide. Spring Cooler and Argus Ind. cast into the top side. On the underside is a simple circle of regularly spaced small holes roughly the size of a pencil lead.
Spring Cooler milk can cooler, manufactured in Argus, Ind., probably designed for use on farms without electricity. Cup-like spout designed to fit over the spout of a hand-operated water pump. The bottom side of the circle has a series of holes like a sprinkler. Water from the pump circulated through the circle, showering the milk can with cold water, cooling the can’s contents.
To submit photos:
Send prints to Farm Collector, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609. Send digital images to editor@farmcollector.com.
- Photos should be taken in a well-lit area against a plain background. Include dimensions and any markings on the piece. We cannot guarantee every photo will be published, nor can we respond to inquiries regarding when photos will be published. No photos will be returned.
- 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 April 10, 2023.
Originally published in the March 2023 issue of Farm Collector.
