1874 widget ?

[mojjax]

It is marked ''CODMAN & SHURTT BOSTON " ( can't read those three letters ) they could be "E'' and "F"and "E" or any combo -Patented Feb . 24 , 1874 . The curved arm moves and makes a nice clicking sound . There's a tiny space at the end of the arm . ?
mojjax

 

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[PBK]

Found a listing for "Steam Vaporizer - Codman & Short Leff Boston - Pat March 24, 1868." Unfortunately, the link is dead. Your item is probably from the same company, and maybe an update of the earlier patent.

You can check patent documents & drawings for Feb . 24 , 1874, but it's going to be slow trolling. Patents for that date run from #147,737 to #148,017, and the only way to locate the one you're looking for is to go through them one at a time. Here's the Patent Office search page:

http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/srchnum.htm

 

[junkdigger]

I wonder if it might be a sewing machine attachment.I had an old treadle sewing machine once,and it came with a box full of gizmos like that.

 

[dano91]

Looks like a volume control off an antique radio, or could be temperature control on humidifier

 

[nhbenz]

A dental floss dispenser, made by Codman & Shurtleff. They had the first patent on such a thing. Found a linkthat makes reference to it, but it doesn't have a photo. (about 1/4 of the way down the page) http://inventionandtechnology.com/xml/2006/3/it_2006_3_feat_2.xml

 

[PBK]

Nice catch, NHbenz!

 

[hollowpointred]

damn...........i didnt even know they had dental floss back then!! that is what it looks like though.

 

[Gypsy Heart]

CODMAN & SHURTLEFF supplied medical and dental items for the army.

Codman & Shurtleff is one brainy company. The Johnson & Johnson subsidiary makes and markets more than 7,000 products, primarily for use in neurosurgery. Its products include endoscopes, fixation systems for the spine, and hydrocephalic valve systems (which help drain excess cerebrospinal fluid). The company also distributes surgical irrigation instruments and bipolar electrosurgical systems (which allow neurosurgeons to bloodlessly cut tissue) for Valley Forge Scientific; the company is Valley Forge Scientific's biggest customer, accounting for about 90% of sales.

In 1838, with the introduction of his Ether Pocket Cupping Instrument, Thomas Codman established a manufacturing business in medical and surgical devices in Boston, Massachusetts. More than one hundred and sixty years later, Codman continues to pursue the same principles upon which it was founded: quality, innovation, and excellence.
In 1964, Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. joined the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies when it was acquired by Ethicon, Inc. Two years later, Codman obtained affiliate status as a freestanding Johnson & Johnson subsidiary. In 1994, the Company moved to its present corporate headquarters in Raynham, Massachusetts.

AN ANTIQUE MEDICAL, SURGICAL, & DENTAL ARTIFACTS RESOURCE SITE contact below for identification
a.peck@mchsi.com

 

[mojjax]

Thanks NHbenz , I was starting to think that the sewing machine theory was right . The is a space between the 2 discs where some floss could be wrapped and then hooked on the end of the arm in that little notch . Thank you Gypsyheart for the additional info !
mojjax