Mid-West Tool Collectors Show Impressive Antiques

By Leslie C. Mcmanus
Published on February 25, 2013
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Perfectly pitched, hand-carved threads on a chuck screw. “Every farmer was an engineer back then,” Vaughn Simmons says. “He had to be to survive. That brace had to be straight all the way through or it would wobble.”
Perfectly pitched, hand-carved threads on a chuck screw. “Every farmer was an engineer back then,” Vaughn Simmons says. “He had to be to survive. That brace had to be straight all the way through or it would wobble.”
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A German straight-line neck brace from Vaughn’s collection. The piece has a unique lubrication port at the upper neck.
A German straight-line neck brace from Vaughn’s collection. The piece has a unique lubrication port at the upper neck.
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Vaughn with a unique prize in his collection: The original owner’s initials in this Swedish-made brace correspond directly to Vaughn’s name: Douglas Vaughn Simmons.
Vaughn with a unique prize in his collection: The original owner’s initials in this Swedish-made brace correspond directly to Vaughn’s name: Douglas Vaughn Simmons.
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Emery Goad with a homemade farrier’s buttress, used in trimming hooves.
Emery Goad with a homemade farrier’s buttress, used in trimming hooves.
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A coffee can repurposed as a case for a tape measure. “You gotta go with the materials on hand,” Emery says of the homemade device.
A coffee can repurposed as a case for a tape measure. “You gotta go with the materials on hand,” Emery says of the homemade device.
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Ornamental marks on one of Vaughn’s braces.
Ornamental marks on one of Vaughn’s braces.
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Slightly concave blades make these homemade scissors self-sharpening.
Slightly concave blades make these homemade scissors self-sharpening.
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The oldest rope maker in John Holmes’ collection, this piece could date to the late 1700s or early 1800s.
The oldest rope maker in John Holmes’ collection, this piece could date to the late 1700s or early 1800s.
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James Goodson estimates his handmade potato fork’s weight at more than 10 pounds. At least one tine has been spliced. “He probably hit a rock,” James muses, speculating about a farmer hundreds of years ago.
James Goodson estimates his handmade potato fork’s weight at more than 10 pounds. At least one tine has been spliced. “He probably hit a rock,” James muses, speculating about a farmer hundreds of years ago.
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John Holmes
John Holmes
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This rope machine fits on a wagon end gate or a “Can’t Sag” fence gate. John estimates it was used in the early 1900s.
This rope machine fits on a wagon end gate or a “Can’t Sag” fence gate. John estimates it was used in the early 1900s.
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The pointed end of a fid was used to open strands of a rope before splicing; the top end accommodated either three- or four-strand rope construction.
The pointed end of a fid was used to open strands of a rope before splicing; the top end accommodated either three- or four-strand rope construction.
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The McIntosh rope machine clamped on a fence board or wagon.
The McIntosh rope machine clamped on a fence board or wagon.
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Joseph Preusser, St. Cloud, Minn., with a blacksmith-made brace from his collection. The brace boasts a 19-inch sweep, bigger than many of its era (the late 1800s). Joseph worked for decades as a carpenter and cabinet maker. When he bid on antique tools at auctions, onlookers asked if he’d be using the antiques on the job. “No,” he’d say, “I have a museum at home. I don’t smoke, drink, chew gum or chase wild women. I just collect old tools.”
Joseph Preusser, St. Cloud, Minn., with a blacksmith-made brace from his collection. The brace boasts a 19-inch sweep, bigger than many of its era (the late 1800s). Joseph worked for decades as a carpenter and cabinet maker. When he bid on antique tools at auctions, onlookers asked if he’d be using the antiques on the job. “No,” he’d say, “I have a museum at home. I don’t smoke, drink, chew gum or chase wild women. I just collect old tools.”
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 A double-claw hammer, a challenging project for even the experienced blacksmith.
 A double-claw hammer, a challenging project for even the experienced blacksmith.
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In the 1800s, reamers like this one from Joseph Preusserís collection were used in log cabin construction to secure logs at windows. Rods nearly 2 inches in diameter were inserted into holes drilled by reamers.
In the 1800s, reamers like this one from Joseph Preusserís collection were used in log cabin construction to secure logs at windows. Rods nearly 2 inches in diameter were inserted into holes drilled by reamers.
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Rein holder used when hauling a load of logs stacked tall on a sled. Driven into a log on top, the tool would help the driver keep control of the reins while positioned high above the team.
Rein holder used when hauling a load of logs stacked tall on a sled. Driven into a log on top, the tool would help the driver keep control of the reins while positioned high above the team.
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Jim Moffet’s homemade corn sheller.
Jim Moffet’s homemade corn sheller.
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Jim doesn’t know what this stone hammer’s intended use was. “Possibly for wood,” he says. “It would have been a pretty good persuader.
Jim doesn’t know what this stone hammer’s intended use was. “Possibly for wood,” he says. “It would have been a pretty good persuader.
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This handmade mallet’s handle is made of oak; the top may be walnut. Used with a chisel, the piece likely dates to the early 1900s.
This handmade mallet’s handle is made of oak; the top may be walnut. Used with a chisel, the piece likely dates to the early 1900s.
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Hand-forged wrenches displayed by Steve Edwards, Columbiana, Ala.
Hand-forged wrenches displayed by Steve Edwards, Columbiana, Ala.
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A prosthetic device, complete with hammerhead, dating to the 1920s or ’30s.
A prosthetic device, complete with hammerhead, dating to the 1920s or ’30s.
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Blacksmith-made nut and bolt; the nut is designed to be a locking nut.
Blacksmith-made nut and bolt; the nut is designed to be a locking nut.
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This carpenter’s marking gauge with hand-scribed notches was likely made by a craftsman in the late 1700s or early 1800s.
This carpenter’s marking gauge with hand-scribed notches was likely made by a craftsman in the late 1700s or early 1800s.
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#12 is a snow knocker from the Moffet collection. Used to remove built-up snow from horses’ hooves, the tools were hung on a wagon, buggy, sleigh or sled. Small folding models were designed to fit in a pocket or saddle bag.
#12 is a snow knocker from the Moffet collection. Used to remove built-up snow from horses’ hooves, the tools were hung on a wagon, buggy, sleigh or sled. Small folding models were designed to fit in a pocket or saddle bag.
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#2: A blacksmith-made screwdriver, reverse-turned four times.  #1: Another blacksmith-made screwdriver, appears to be made from a bayonet, perhaps one dating to the American Civil War.
#2: A blacksmith-made screwdriver, reverse-turned four times.  #1: Another blacksmith-made screwdriver, appears to be made from a bayonet, perhaps one dating to the American Civil War.

Imagine a time when there
was no hardware store or farm supply or big-box store just minutes from the
farm. Imagine an era when times were so hard that purchase of a commercially
produced tool — even a simple one — was out of the question. That all but
unimaginable world sprung to life at the fall meeting of the Mid-West Tool
Collectors Assn. in Davenport,

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