✅ SOLVED Test your skills on this one! Spent years trying to ID this.

[musclecar]

I found this in Alaska about 10 years ago, and have never been able to ID it. It is an aluminum piece, about 3 inches square. It has 15 teeth and is numbered 1-15. There is a stop preventing it from spinning freely. The back has two tabs that may have been used to mount it. ANY GUESSES?

Thanks,

MC

PS The quarter used for size was found yesterday! 1935S Yeah!

 

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[trikikiwi]

Kia Ora ryancII,
Do not think you are the only tormented one!
After weeks of humming and harring, I have just today distributed the pics of this device, amongst all my very technically qualified work colleagues and asked for their opinion.
I did anticipate and have since received, lots of uuummmmmmm's.
I have even offered any successful colleague, a nice bottle of fine New Zealand wine

Cheers, Mike

 

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[mhess22]

The first thing that I thought of when I saw the picture, was a sparkplug gapper. I really doubt that that is what it is. I like the idea of it being a game bird counter of some sort.

 

[Montana Jim]

The first thing that I thought of when I saw the picture, was a sparkplug gapper. I really doubt that that is what it is. I like the idea of it being a game bird counter of some sort.

mhess....

Welcome to treasurenet! And...

welcome to the madness...

 

[erik12152003]

ok I think that this goes onto the side of something the two prongs (by the point) slide into slots then the tabs secure it then there is a second gear goes throw the back and turns when you turn the dial moving internal part. This is why I think it is a stove or heater dial. hope this helps erik

and ps I am a fisherman and don't remember seeing it on there

 

[jscorpio]

reminds me of a heat register adjuster

 

[ryanc11]

Ok this is it.. We need to have some sort of finality to this thread. I know I am a greenhorn when it comes to treasure net, but this thread has driven me crazy. I will offer this:

Proof: Evidence of what this is... pictures, or PBK saying this is it..

Prize: http://www.tastesofchicago.com/ My hometown food and the best food in the world ($100 limit)

And to top off --- We have New Zealand Wine. I would do research just for that...

 

[trikikiwi]

In Honour of ryan's magnanimous gesture, I vouch to send a bottle of excellent NZ wine, to the person who solves the puzzle with a picture and explanation.
An interesting suggestion from one colleague today - a bullet (cartridge) counter - I googled it and all it's various connotations - nothing close at all. But I think the suggestion still has merit.
Call me an idiot but doesn't the counter count to 14 not 15? There are only 14 countersunk areas (available to whatever moves it) on the sprocket. If it was to do with bullets, could you have 14 in the mag and one up the spout?
Otherwise, 14 pounds = 1 stone, 14 days = two weeks
I love this site,
Cheers, Mike

 

[ryanc11]

trikikiwi , Thats the Spirit!!

Interesting thought on the bullet idea, although it seems to be a little to complex of a device to do what you describe. Although in the end , I would not be surprised at all if you are correct.

The funny thing is when I go out to my garage , if I saw this device I would say ..Ah Ha ! theres my counter thing.

Or if something was broken I would say "where the heck is my aluminum counter thing", so I can fix whatever was broken...

My point is this device is so common that if I saw it in the context of daily life I would know exactly what it is used for... but it still is a mystery looking at it here..AHHHH.

I will raise a glass of NZ wine with you, in honor of the guy/girl that can solve this puzzle.

 

[savant365]

I emailed a picture to a friend of mine and this is what he says:

Appears to be part of the cold control mechanism from an early 1930’s Frigidaire refrigeration system. They had a dial with gear like settings that looked very similar to this.



Thanks for the Inquiry!

John M. Jowers

www.AntiqueAppliances.com

e-mail: john@antiqueappliances.com



( US Postal mailing address)

AntiqueAppliances

P.O. Box 389

Clayton , Georgia 30525 USA

If anyone would know ....this guy would.

 

[relic lover]

OK I have come to claim the prize! My research efforts have lead me to the conclusion that this is a devise that dated as far back as the 1840s take a close look at this very early photo of Abe Lincoln, General Shermin, and General Patton this item is of extreme historical significance! It was passed down from one great leader to the next for hundreds of years. these few photos are proof that this item has a rich tradition and possibly even magical (Masonic) powers. Please brace yourself for a truly stunning historical discovery! History books shall be rewritten! BEHOLD!

 

[ndstomper]

This reminds me of a device on an old corn planter my father had. The higher the setting the more seed that was let out of the planter.

 

[alaskanglenn]

Hmmm, where in AK did you find it?, I like the Long Range Radar comment, mabey something from the weather station, stay tuned....

 

[trikikiwi]

Could it be !!!!!!??
A dial from a (prepay) coin meter for gas or electricity. That would explain why it's so familiar to lots of people. I remember having such a meter in the house as a kid (late 1950's)
I attach a couple of pics of a coin meter with a cogged dial and also a realigned pic of the item (as per above post) which to me shows the logical alignment. You would probably only see the pointer and the adjacent number through a sight hole.

 

[morris]

ok here is my best guess IS a geer wheel from a 15 speed bike.
Yes sears made a 5,10, 15 and 18 speed bikes. just my 2 cents in the dark

Morris
Ocala,FL

 

[Montana Jim]

I pray today,
and everyday,
that this freakin' whatsit,
goes away...

Or - at least send us a newbi that can ID it...

Thank you Lord.

(repeat as necessary)

 

[ivan salis]

its an alien brain destroyer left in alaska --by an alien race long ago ---it will drive you crazy trying to figger it out--- P.S. I add one shiny silver 1964 kenndy half to the pot for the person who kills the evil beast by ID ing it. with photo or real proof like a catalog showing what the heck it is? (that way I'll be able to sleep soundly again) Ivan

 

[trikikiwi]

I'm determined to crack this Nut (Nugget)

 

[jon43]

That tab sticking up by the "15" must have been there for some reason...maybe it counted something, and when it made it up that high it flipped a switch for some kind of limit...dunno. I was an electrician for years, and never saw anything like it, I worked on lots of old stuff too.

My first thought was an old feeler gauge for spark plugs, but it doesn't look like the tabs are different thicknesses. And there would be no reason for the stop by the 15 either.

i know that they prop did not have cows and etc fences were he found it but could it be part of a etc fence box that when you set the numbers thats how many seconds the etc would go through the line? OK its a counter

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes.
- Andy Warhol

It's a Minutes-of-Fame Counter!

 

[ryanc11]

OK I have come to claim the prize! My research efforts have lead me to the conclusion that this is a devise that dated as far back as the 1840s take a close look at this very early photo of Abe Lincoln, General Shermin, and General Patton this item is of extreme historical significance! It was passed down from one great leader to the next for hundreds of years. these few photos are proof that this item has a rich tradition and possibly even magical (Masonic) powers. Please brace yourself for a truly stunning historical discovery! History books shall be rewritten! BEHOLD!

LMAO... Yes I think you maybe on to something....

Although you are incorrect in your assumption that this device was dated as far back as the 1840's, it dates much farther back... This device is in fact a very valuable and missing gear of this --->

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism