GerryL
Jr. Member
This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?
What is it?
What is it?
Welcome to TreasureNet - and one of my favourite/favorite mystery itemsharms_way said:Hi Gerry..been reading on this site for a few months (great site) thought I would put in my two cents worth. When I saw your copper tube I thought it was a level. I've seen similar tubes with similar cut outs there is a bent glass tube that is inside with markings for the bubble (yours is missing) covering up the hole by rotating was done to protect the glass. If you go to the site Sodabottlebob suggested
and type in spirit level or starrett level you will see similar tubes. I'm only quessing but the two removeable caps are for protection of the ends, that when in use are mounted. I have found these in different forms with corks in each end mounted on old research equipment.
That has a lot of similaritiesSODABOTTLEBOB said:I found this in the sold archives under "Starrett level." Thanks Harms_Way.
SBB
OMG banner ID!!!Chainbreaker said:I've got the answer for the tube with three compartments, it's a plumber's container for holding rosin, grease, and flour. One of my friends found it in a book entitled "Encyclopedia of Antique Tools and Machinery" by C.H. Wendel (page 171), the three substances were all necessary for the soldering process of assembling the joints of lead pipe. A similar grease and rosin box can be seen on this page:
http://chestofbooks.com/home-improv...ard-Practical/The-Plumber-s-Tools-Part-2.html
rodgerdodger said:When I first looked at this I thought a plumbers soldering kit. The lead solder went in the center were he would pull out a length and twist it griping the solder so it wouldn't move while holding the whole thing in his hand during the soldering of copper pipes. One end cap holding the flux and the other end held a role of emery cloth.
This is just my thoughts on it and never seen one before. It could have been the the only one made by a plumber for his own use or they were a kit sold a a store.
rodgerdodger said:When I first looked at this I thought a plumbers soldering kit. The lead solder went in the center were he would pull out a length and twist it griping the solder so it wouldn't move while holding the whole thing in his hand during the soldering of copper pipes. One end cap holding the flux and the other end held a role of emery cloth.
This is just my thoughts on it and never seen one before. It could have been the the only one made by a plumber for his own use or they were a kit sold a a store.