any clue on this item

Goes4ever · Jul 15, 2010

found at an old farm, brass top unscrews

Stegner · Jul 17, 2010

Lucas said:
That top match safe... I would say it is a powder/shot measure, unless I can't see the lid?

I'm not anywhere close to an expert - feel like I'm walking with giants when I post on this thread! Found both of these examples identified as "match safes" online - perhaps they mis-ID'd one of them.

Bigcypresshunter · Jul 18, 2010

I may have missed it but what is the black material? Is it plastic, bakelite, hard rubber, steel, brass, or other? By the responses,Im assuming its hollow with no opening on either end.

njnydigger · Jul 18, 2010

I would also have to go with a pin holder. The top attachment appears to be a thimble. Maybe a set that housewives used to buy for storing pins - thimble included...but only for limited time

dg39 · Jul 18, 2010

njnydigger said:
I would also have to go with a pin holder. The top attachment appears to be a thimble. Maybe a set that housewives used to buy for storing pins - thimble included...but only for limited time

That was my guess earlier....
Still inclined to think so...
DG

bradyboy · Jul 20, 2010

Im thinking a perise plumb bob
Brady

Bigcypresshunter · Jul 20, 2010

Can someone tell me if its plastic?

trikikiwi · Jul 21, 2010

bigcypresshunter said:
Can someone tell me if its plastic?

My gut feeling is mid 20th Century Plastic.

Mike

Sky Pilot · Jul 21, 2010

bigcypresshunter said:
Can someone tell me if its plastic?

Big Cy, I don't think that anyone is listening!!! :icon_scratch:

Heck, it'd go a long way towards identifying it if someone would let ya know if it's plastic, bakelite or whatever where it's black!!
Cool find, whatever it may be!

Regards, SkyPilot

Bigcypresshunter · Jul 21, 2010

skypilot02 said:
bigcypresshunter said:

Can someone tell me if its plastic?

Click to expand...

Big Cy, I don't think that anyone is listening!!!
Heck, it'd go a long way towards identifying it if someone would let ya know if it's plastic, bakelite or whatever where it's black!!
Cool find, whatever it may be!

Regards, SkyPilot

If its plastic, I think we can rule out plumb bob because I have never seen a plastic plumb bob. Match safe may be another we can rule out. :dontknow:

We could also rule out the entire 19th century...

dick99344 · Jul 21, 2010

I, at first, thought this might be a perfume pen. The tip would have to be made out of felt. The inside would have a removeable felt insert that the ladies would soak with their favorite perfume. They would dab the perfume behind their ears or rub the tip on their wrist to use it. This would also require a small tip cover to prevent the perfume from evaporating. I turn pens and other items to include perfume pens out of wood and they are about this size. Just an observation from first impressions on this item. Hope you ID it. HH

turtlefoot13 · Jul 21, 2010

My guess is a total different direction. I think it might be an interchangable "foot" from an old tripod or monopod. I collect vintage photography equipment and over the years have had tripods that had removable feet so the photographer could use the tripods on different surfaces. Flat feet for indoor shots, very sharp feet for loose dirt, ice etc., and one similar to the item above for "everyday" use. If the black area is solid plastic, this guess is out the window though. This is just a guess based on items I have had in the past though (please remember that :wink:

)

biggbill · Jul 21, 2010

Could it hold chalk for a chalk-line?

Bigcypresshunter · Jul 21, 2010

Could it be plastic?

Does it smell like old perfume inside?

allen_idaho · Jul 21, 2010

If there is a hole in the brass top piece, I would go with plumb bob.

Bigcypresshunter · Jul 21, 2010

skypilot02 said:
bigcypresshunter said:

Can someone tell me if its plastic?

Click to expand...

Big Cy, I don't think that anyone is listening!!!
Heck, it'd go a long way towards identifying it if someone would let ya know if it's plastic, bakelite or whatever where it's black!!
Cool find, whatever it may be!

Regards, SkyPilot

I sent a PM to Goes4ever to see if its a plastic.

Bigcypresshunter · Jul 21, 2010

Goes4ever has replied and he says its plastic. So I think that rules out plumb bobs. Plumb bobs are heavy like solid lead brass iron or mercury filled but not plastic. (as far as I know)

turtlefoot13 · Jul 21, 2010

bigcypresshunter said:
Goes4ever has replied and he says its plastic. So I think that rules out plumb bobs. Plumb bobs are heavy like solid lead brass iron or mercury filled but not plastic. (as far as I know)

There goes my guess!

Bigcypresshunter · Jul 21, 2010

turtlefoot13 said:
bigcypresshunter said:

Goes4ever has replied and he says its plastic. So I think that rules out plumb bobs. Plumb bobs are heavy like solid lead brass iron or mercury filled but not plastic. (as far as I know)

Click to expand...

There goes my guess!

Couldnt a tripod foot be heavy plastic? He didnt say how thin it was.

I think we need pictures of the ends.

turtlefoot13 · Jul 22, 2010

bigcypresshunter said:
turtlefoot13 said:

bigcypresshunter said:

Goes4ever has replied and he says its plastic. So I think that rules out plumb bobs. Plumb bobs are heavy like solid lead brass iron or mercury filled but not plastic. (as far as I know)

Click to expand...

There goes my guess!

Click to expand...

Couldnt a tripod foot be heavy plastic? He didnt say how thin it was.

I think we need pictures of the ends.

They could be but out of 200-300 vintage tripods that I have handled, I have never seen any. I have seen them with plastic/bakelite decorations/coatings though. I Googled "plastic plumb bob" and found this.

"A metal such as lead, steel or brass that is smooth and triangular in shape is used for many plumb bobs, but some are made of plastic."

Here is the URL for reference. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-plumb-bob.htm

I will have to keep looking. I have some manufacturers catalogs for photographic tripods from the 1910's-1920's to still go through and an industry insider buyer's guide (about 500 pages) that was sent to professional photographers in 1954. It showcases just about every photographic item that was made back then.

Doug

Bigcypresshunter · Jul 22, 2010

turtlefoot13 said:
I Googled "plastic plumb bob" and found this.

"A metal such as lead, steel or brass that is smooth and triangular in shape is used for many plumb bobs, but some are made of plastic."

Here is the URL for reference. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-plumb-bob.htm

Doug

Thanks Doug. That same link also says plumb bobs are hung on Christmas trees. ::)

My Dad was a carpenter, I worked construction all my life and Im also a collector of vintage tools and I have never seen or used a plastic plumb bob. I suppose with everything being made cheaper and cheaper, its only a matter of time, but I would have to see it to believe it. Lets try and find a picture of one.

What about surveyors tripods?