A. Stock-twister for hair switches (ladies’ hairpieces). No correct responses were received from readers. Photo submitted by Joe Winter, Richards, Mo. See patent 187,590 and patent 150,144.
B. This piece has us stumped, and we’ve received no answers from Farm Collector readers.
C. Tension device for grain binder. Identified by Bill Schrock, Medford, Wis.; Ralph Schrader, Highland, Ill.; Tim Oliver, Fisk, Wis.; Brady Goettl, Cadott, Wis.; and Donald D. Sarchet, Tulia, Texas. “The twine goes from the twine box through the side hole and the gears, out the other side to the needle,” Bill explains. “The nut with the spring is used to set the tension.” Photo submitted by Joe Winter, Richards, Mo. See patent 1,964,496.
D. Collapsible camp stool frame (the piece would typically have a canvas seat). Identified by Wayne Newson, Emyvale, Prince Edward Island, Canada; Lee Muncy, Decatur, Texas; Elaine McCluskey, Arlington, S.D.; and Verle Spence, Hartford, Iowa. “In 1903, my grandparents bought a little child’s seat like this for my dad to sit on in the buggy,”
Elaine writes. “It was handed down from my dad to me. He said he rode on it many miles in their buggy, the chief means of transportation in those days. A piece of fabric was stretched from one of the rounded rods to the other rounded rod, thus making a seat for him. The square rods were used for placing on the floor in the buggy.” Photo submitted by David Ruark, Pomeroy, Wash.
Remember This? Fred W. Courser III, Concord, N.H., and Dennis Howard, Boyne Falls, Mich., identify item “A” in the December 2010 issue of Farm Collector as an engagement “dog” found on a bale loader built in the 1960s by Meyers Mfg. Co., Morton Ill. “It would be found on the axle, approx 1-1/4-inch in diameter,” Dennis explains. “Next to it is a sprocket with many holes around the face. When you arrived in the field, the operator would pull and twist the round knob, allowing it to engage in one of the sprocket holes.
“My dad bought one of these new before I was a teenager. We hooked it to a 1948 Dodge flatbed by installing a tongue on the front bumper. It was advertised as being able to pick up bales that were not aligned with the direction of travel.
When the operator got good with this loader he could run up on a bale that was cross ways to him and ‘butt’ it around and send it up the loader.
“We still use this loader but with a different truck. My boys will not go to the field without it. With nearly 50 years of experience with this loader, I have had a lot of good memories and stories I could tell about using it. I have to give credit to this response to my brother Jack; we trade farm magazines. He returned with my copy and showed me what I had missed. I usually drive, he stacks. One fond memory is watching a snake that was caught in the strings go up the elevator to him. He hates snakes.” FC
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.