To view images of all four May 2010 mystery old farm tools and accompanying patent illustrations, click the Image Gallery link to the right.
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 your answers to the old farm tools presented in the June 2010 issue. Mystery solved!
A.Meat tenderizer, as identified by George Wanamaker, Macomb, Ill., and John Brown, Falmouth, Ind. Photo submitted by Harold R. Hultquist, Fremont, Neb.See patent 1,161,845.
B. Cotton boll separator, as identified by Thomas Janecke, Lake George, Mich., and Stephen Clemens, Mazeppa, Minn. Photo submitted by Ralph and Anna Cook, Imboden, Ark.
C. Book carrier/parcel carrier/shawl strap, likely home-made. Photo submitted by P.T. Rathbone, Marsing, Idaho. See patents 412,295, 360,769, 401,073 and 303,896 for similar devices.
D. Ensilage cutter/silage blower, as identified by Stephen Clemens, Glenn Stockwell, Riley, Kan.; Ron Hejlik, Nashville, Ill.; Willard Engel, Marshall, Minn.; Lloyd Weber, Riverside, Iowa; Mil Harr, Littleton, Colo.; Robert Scholz, Elmo, Mo.; Jason Stodola, Clarkson, Neb.; Ephraim Herriott, Springfield, W. Va.; Jim Bolt, Corsica, S.D.; Richard Blough, Bristol, Ind.; Tom Bozell, Blaine, Minn.; Tom Claussen, Beloit, Kan.; John Brown; Herb McFetridge, Stanley, N.Y.; Thomas Janecke; Sheldon Malmedal, Linton, N.D.; Robert E. Oldenkamp, Hawarden, Iowa; Marlin O. Herbst, Merrill, Iowa; Kirk D. Rosel, Shellsburg, Iowa; Maurice Davis, Conklin, N.Y.; Orrin Johnson, Alexandria, Minn.; and Ron Neisen, Carlos, Minn. Photo submitted by Bill Vall, Asheville, N.C.
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.