The genius of pioneer inventors can confound us. Countless contraptions that revolutionized farming in the 19th and early 20th centuries have become contemporary curiosities, or even mysteries. Here are four sent in by readers. Do you know what they are?
Mystery solved! Check your answers to the old tools presented in the December 2010 issue.
A. This piece has us stumped, and we’ve received no answers from Farm Collector readers. Photo submitted by Roy and Donna Edwards, East Ridge, Tenn.
B. Crimping tool used in shell reloading. Identified by Bob Wittersheim, Carleton, Mich.; John Herald, Pilot Rock, Ore.; Steven Mead; Wayne Rowell, Wilmington, Vt.; Maurice Davis, Conklin, N.Y.; Luke Kissell, Westminster, Md.; Weldon W. Hammond Jr., San Antonio, Texas; Lyndel Biby, Enid, Okla.; Maurice L. Hooks; Onie Sims, Whittier, Calif.; Fred Reichart, Lafayette, Ind.; Frank Carey, Monson, Mass.; Erwin L. Fullerton, S. Woodstock, Vt.; Jerald Fastenow, Spirit Lake, Iowa; Bob Sternecker, Cunningham, Kan.; Steve Terhune, Bowie, Md.; Dave Mattson, Vulcan, Mich.; Darwin Verke, Arvada, Colo.; Mark Cadman, Tolland, Conn.; and Aron E. Griffin, Shirley, Mass. “I have my grandfather’s,” Weldon Hammond writes, “and I have used it more than once. It works great on paper shotgun shells (not on plastic!).” Photo submitted by Donald Green, Malta, Mont. See patent 418,330 for a similar piece.
C. Nutcracker. Identified by Frank Carey, Erwin L. Fullerton and Aron E. Griffin. Photo submitted by Ken Hunter, Allerton, Ill. See patent 1,526,656 for a similar piece.
D. Combination nail extractor/box opener. Identified by Onie Sims. Photo submitted by Don Schroeder, Berger, Mo. See patent 409,355 for a similar piece.
To submit photos:
Send prints to Farm Collector, 1503 S.W. 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 S.W. 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609. E-mail responses may be sent to editor@farmcollector.com.