What-Is-It?

November’s mystery tools

A. Merlyn Irlbeck, Manning, Iowa, says that
this piece was used with a rope sling for hauling loose hay on a
hayrack; this was used as the “trip” to release the sling on one
end after the hay was in the barn. Photo submitted by Darrel
Heeren, Hastings, Neb.

B. Alan Marsh, Adrian, Minn., tags this as an
English wheel, used to take wrinkles out of car fenders. Quite
likely, this is one of a set. We also heard from O.K. Blackstone on
this item. Photo submitted by the Cimarron Heritage Center Museum,
Boise City, Okla.

C. Donald Walker, Buchanan Va., thinks this
item is a hog “anti-rooter” used to nip the end of a hog’s nose to
prevent rooting. “This item sold for $33 per dozen in the 1925
Belknap hardware catalog,” Donald reports. Photo submitted by Orin
Olson, Cascade, Mont.

Patents

A Identified on patent 739,901 as “P.A. Myers
hay tool,” this piece was patented on Sept. 29, 1903, Phillip A.
Myers, inventor.

B This piece, identified on the patent as a
metal-working device used to remove dents on fenders, was patented
on June 20, 1944, by Vernon E. Robbins. The patent drawing shows
the device at work, with a piece of metal inserted between the
“anvil” and the wheel.