Here are six sent in by readers. Do you know what they are?
Answers to the May 2023 items will appear in the July 2023 issue.
Answers for new items in this issue must be received by May 5, 2023.
A. Tool is factory-made; no markings.
Unidentified.
Photo submitted by Larry Whitesell, Tipton, Ind.
B. Tool is shown in collapsed position. A lever inside expands the three sides. Measures 12-1/4 inches tall; 10 inches diameter. No markings.
Well tile placer designed to make tile placement go more smoothly. Insert in a 10-inch-diameter field tile that will be lowered into a 12-inch bored hole 20 feet deep. Each 10-inch tile must be lowered gently. The collapsed tool with a lever inside forces the three wooden panels up against the inside of the tile so the tile can safely be lowered into the 12-inch bored hole with a rope tied to the eye ring in the center. A small rope is used to release the pressure lever that allows lifting of the tool for use on the next tile.
C. Tool measures 9 inches long. Folds three different ways. Cast into tool: Armelee’s PAT. MCH 6 88.


Parmelee non-marking pipe wrench. The wrench wraps around the pipe to grip it without marking the pipe.
Identified by Marvin Hedberg, Sauk Rapids, Minn.; Robert Scholz, Elmo, Mo.; Don Snyder, Decatur, Ill.; Don Banwaart, West Bend, Iowa; Ken Bolton, Fall Creek, Wis.; Ron Ratajczak, Manitowoc, Wis.; Stan Seevers, Argenta, Ill.; Dennis Bryant, Weston, Mo.; Jeff Arch, Kewanee, Ill.; and Harold Kaufman, Porterfield, Wis.
Photos submitted by Marvin Ball, Ferrisburgh, Vt.
D. No description given.
Unidentified. Possibly a conveyance used to carry workers when detasseling seed corn.
Photo submitted by Richard Stout, Washington, Iowa.
E. Tool measures 8-1/2 inches long. Marked W.H. Anderson & Son, Detroit, Mich.
Vintage masonry jointer or tuck pointer.
Identified by Stan Seevers; Ron Ratajczak; Ken Bolton; and Harold Kaufman.
Photo submitted by Bob Wittersheim, Carleton, Mich.
F. Tool measures 7-3/4 inches long. No markings. Rope not authentic to the age of the tool.
Identified by Bob Palmersheim, Lawler, Iowa; Ron Stevenson, Glade Spring, Va.; Don Snyder; David Blausey, Gibsonburg, Ohio; Arnold Miller, Napoleon, Ohio; Marcus Miller, Pleasant Hill, Ohio; Ron Deno, Monticello, Ind.; Stan Seevers; and Dennis Bryant.
“The sharp point is stuck into the shock and the rope is pulled around the shock and inserted around the pulley and pulled tight,” explains Bob Palmersheim. “The small lever acts as a brake to hold the rope tight while another length of twine is wound around the shock and tied to hold the shock together. The shock is made by standing bundles of corn stalks (ears still attached) against each other. The bundles are formed by cutting the corn with a corn binder. In earlier times, the stalks were cut by hand, individually, and stood up. Sometimes a stake was used to get the shock started as the stalks were difficult to get standing in place until there was a quantity of them. This was used as feed for livestock during the winter. After the stalks and ears had dried in the shock, some farmers would run the bundles or stalks through a shredder, which would separate the ears from the stalks similar to the way a corn picker did, and then shred the stalk into a finer material which was used as feed or bedding for livestock.”
Photo submitted by Bob Wittersheim, Carleton, Mich.
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 May 5, 2023.
Originally published in the May 2023 issue of Farm Collector.