November 2014 Mystery Tool A
A. Crandall hammer, used by stonemasons to work and shape soft stone such as limestone and sandstone. Identified by Gailey Henderson, Williamstown, West Virginia; Milo Harpstead, Stevens Point, Wisconsin; Dana VanMeter, Belpre, Ohio; Buck and Cathy Evans, Ft. Lupton, Colorado; Billy W. Bracy, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Martin Tardbeng, New Auburn, Wisconsin; Robert Campbell, Akron, Ohio; Gary Studebaker, Larwill, Indiana. Photo submitted by Larry Estep via email.
Catalog illustration of Crandall hammers from the 1896-’97 H.H. Harvey catalog. Image courtesy Jim Mau.
November 2014 Mystery Tool B
A. Unidentified.
Catalog illustration of Crandall hammers from the 1896-’97 H.H. Harvey catalog. Image courtesy Jim Mau.
November 2014 Mystery Tool C
A. Strawberry runner cutter, used to quickly and effectively cut runners, boosting plant vitality. Identified by Gary Studebaker. See patent 533,787. Photo submitted by Kevin Dorman via email.
Patent 533,787: Strawberry runner cutter. Patent granted to Charles D. Carter, Spring Arbor, Mich., Feb. 5, 1895.
November 2014 Mystery Tool D
A. Rim tool, used to remove or mount a tire on a split rim, typical in the 1920s and early 1930s. Identified by Gailey Henderson; Ronnie Kitts, Blacksburg, Virginia; Stephen Clemens, Mazeppa, Minnesota; Otis G. Madden, Louisiana, Missouri; Art Palmer, Brainard, Nebraska; Donald W. Koll, Ogilvie, Minnesota; Buck and Cathy Evans; Gary Studebaker; and Milo Harpstead. “Each leg of the tripod has a small hook that is hooked over the edge of the rim about equal distance apart,” Milo says. “When the crank is turned to the right, the circumference of the rim is reduced by overlapping the ends of the rim so that the tire can be removed. To put a tire back on the rim, the process is reversed and the ends of the rim are locked together. The type of wheel that had this type of rim was a wooden-spoke wheel called an artillery wheel. It was the most common type of wheel in the 1920s. I have a 1924 Buick Roadster and a 1928 Chevy 1-ton truck that have this type of wheel.” See patent 1,704,628. Photo submitted by Becky Neuman, Syracuse, New York.
Patent 1,704,628: Rim tool. Patent granted to Elmer T. Rushton, St. Joseph, Mich., assignor to Hercules Products Co., St. Joseph, Mich., March 5, 1929.
November 2014 Mystery Tool E
A. Specialty hose-clamp pliers set. Identified by David Hughes, Clarinda, Iowa; Gailey Henderson; John Seibert, Fountain, Minnesota; Clarence Buck, El Paso, Illinois. Photo submitted by Marvin Ball, N. Ferrisburgh, Vermont.
