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. Check the image gallery at the right for four sent in by readers.
Mystery solved! Check your answers to the old tools presented in the August 2010 issue.
A. Tool for setting and swaging crosscut saws, as identified by Donald W. Walker, Buchanan, Va.; Frank Scheibert, Middletown, Ohio; George Wanamaker, Macomb, Ill.; Dan Lang, Gatesville, N.C.; Wayne Newson, North Wiltshire, Prince Edward Island, Canada; Earl Berry, Batesburg, S.C.; Buck and Cathy Evans, Ft. Lupton, Colo.; Jake Ferrari, Newry, Pa.; Stephen Clemens, Mazeppa, Minn.; Wayne Rowell, Wilmington, Vt.; and Jim Rissanen, Saginaw, Minn. Photo submitted by Bob Wittersheim, Carleton, Mich.
B. Floor saw, as identified by Bruce Cynar, Leo, Ind.; Albert Ching, Storrs, Conn.; Thad Heimburg, East Aurora, N.Y.; Neil Gaarder, Elk River, Minn.; Frank Scheibert; George Wanamaker and Buck and Cathy Evans. “The curved blade allows you to cut into an existing wood floor without having to dismantle the floor or remove boards,” Bruce says. From Albert: “The saw allows the user to use a rotary motion to make an initial cut through the flooring which may then permit the use of a conventional hand saw to finish the job.” Photo submitted by Mary Ann Terrill, Smithland, Iowa.
C. Tire repair tool, as identified by Frank Scheibert, Bob Wittersheim; Ronald Young, Madison, Ind.; Buck and Cathy Evans; Jim Glascock, Cedar Grove, Ind.; Bob Boelsen, Duluth, Ga.; and Jake Ferrari. Photo submitted by Roy Archibald, Leavenworth, Ind. See patent 1,343,893.
D. Iron that covered the wood end part of a wagon bolster that the wagon box sat on, keeping the wagon box centered and preventing it from sliding against the wheel, as identified by Dan Lang; Buck and Cathy Evans; James R. Bunting, Dwight, Ill.; Marlin O. Herbst, Merrill, Iowa; Stephen Clemens; Earl Berry; and Alan Easley, Columbia, Mo. “The rings probably served several purposes,” Alan notes, “but when I was a kid and we were hauling pole wood to the house to be sawed into firewood, my pappy and grandpap would cut limbs the right size to slip into the rings and extend 2 to 3 feet above the bed sides. That allowed us to haul a lot more wood on each load.” Photo submitted by Bob Armstrong, Katy, Texas.
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 (accompanied by your name and address) to Farm Collector, 1503 S.W. 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609. Send e-mail responses to editor@farmcollector.com.