This was found in a friends chicken coop; any ideas?

[GerryL]

This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

What is it?

 

[dustcap]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

What is it?

I keep checking back to see if anyone has positively identified this item. It has been over seven months since the last post, did you find out or give up?

-Ken

 

[trikikiwi]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

What is it?

I keep checking back to see if anyone has positively identified this item. It has been over seven months since the last post, did you find out or give up?

-Ken

Likewise Mate. I'm impressed
It's imprinted in my cells
so to speak
Mike

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

I have been thinking about this item as well. I wish we had an egg expert to ask if this is chicken related.

 

[Rasputin]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

I believe it is a fungicide dispenser and that the yellow powder is sulphur. It was sprayed onto fruit trees to combat pests and fungi. Now how it worked is anybody's guess.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

TOBACCO RELATED LIKE THE ITEM SHOWN HERE

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

OR ... POSSIBLY A NAVAL-TYPE CONTAINER THEY SENT MESSAGES BY VIA AN AIR FLOW TUBE FROM ONE DECK TO ANOTHER ? (I LIKE THIS "GUESS" BEST). ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE MILITARY GREEN COLOR.

 

[Rasputin]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

I do believe this post is destined to have as long a life as the infamous "found in a football field...what are they?" post.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

I may be on a wild goose chase here, but I am finding some interesting stuff related to ...

(old) ... "Pneumatic Tube Systems" ...

... with lots of text, but very few photos!

Pneumatic Tube:

Pneumatic tubes, also known as capsule pipelines or Lamson tubes, are systems in which cylindrical containers are propelled through a network of tubes by compressed air or by vacuum. They are used for transporting physical objects.

 

[savant365]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

I may be on a wild goose chase here, but I am finding some interesting stuff related to ...

(old) ... "Pneumatic Tube Systems" ...

... with lots of text, but very few photos!

Pneumatic Tube:

Pneumatic tubes, also known as capsule pipelines or Lamson tubes, are systems in which cylindrical containers are propelled through a network of tubes by compressed air or by vacuum. They are used for transporting physical objects.

I remember looking at a lot of web pages and thinking the same thing but I never could nail it down. The thing about pneumatic tubes was that they needed some type of leather or rubber washer type thing to make it air-tight so it would go through the tube. This thing doesn't seem to have any groove on it for one of those. Glad this got back into circulation, I always wanted to find out what it is.

HH Charlie

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

savant365 ~

Thanks ... I am beginning to think the same thing. I have seen some patents (which there are tons of going all the way back to 1890 / possibly earlier) that show detachable end-cushions, but most are one piece. These so called "Pneumatic Dispatch Tube Carriers" were quite the invention during their day, with the U.S. Postal Service (way-way back / early 20th century) using a similar system for transporting mail from one station to another. But those particular tubes were about the size of a small trash barrel.

But in the back of my mind I can't seem to eliminate that itching sensation that leads me to suspect the item in question is somehow military related. But as someone touched on previously, you would think it would have a makers mark or some other manufacturing indication on it. But apparently it doesn't.

Long story short ... I don't know what the heck it is! But I still invision it in the dispatch bag of a World War II courrier as he raced along some foreign road on his side-car motorcycle carring a message of utmost importance. But then again, maybe it was just something that grandma kept her spare buttons and needles in. Who knows? I don't!

Plus, the design of the chicken coop tube would not allow the insertion of full sheets of rolled paper anyway. Something else went in there. But what?

Thanks again,

SBB

1920s tube carrier by the Lamson Co.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

I respect Bobs family knowledge on anything egg related... so... since he hasnt said anything, I will assume this has nothing to do with chickens or eggs.

Its a very good What Is It for sure. I have no idea what it is but keep in mind that this item was hand soldered. I have seen cups made this way, (with the seam) that date back to the Civil War. My guess would be WWI era. I like the courier idea.

Im not sure how it could stay so shiny inside the cap all these years. Either it has been closed a very long time or there is always the possibility that its just one-of-a-kind homemade the old fashioned way. Just some things to think about. But homemade shop project or not, it must have a purpose and was made for a very precise fit. Ill check back in a few days.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

During the early 1880's, with the support of popular explorers such as Burton and Stanley, the British Army began casting about for a more portable "standard" ration, which could be counted on to sustain troops on campaign when cut off from regular sources of supply.

The first such product obtained was through the Bovril Company of London. It consisted of a metal or waxed fiberboard tube, which was partitioned in the middle. The metal versions of these generally had a soldered-on cap in place at both ends which was removed via a peel-away metal strip (similar to turn-key ham tins). The fiber board or waxed cardboard versions had glued-in-place caps with a piece of canvas tape protruding to facilitate opening.

One end held 'Bovril Paste', also known as 'Johnston's Fluid Beef', or what is known today as instant bullion (the pasty stuff mum uses to make kidney soup with). This portion of the container was normally marked 'Dinner'.

The other end held either a temperature resistant chocolate bar or cocoa powder. The portion of the container holding the chocolate was either marked 'Chocolate Ration', or 'Cocoa', regardless whether actual chocolate or cocoa powder was inside.

There were a variety of these rations produced clear into the early part of the 20th century, and many Bovril emergency rations made for the Boer war found their way into Royal navy emergency supplies during World War I, nearly 20 years after they had been made!

It is unclear whether the quality was high enough to warrant this, or if British thriftiness had gotten the better of the bluejacket's planners...

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

Description: Emergency ration tin, oval with no markings. Boer War. 1899-1902.

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

"Food" For Thought ...

1. Is it possible the item in question is some type of war ration container? (Mess Kit).

2. If so, is it possibly from another country other than Britian? France? Germany?

3. Is it possibly something that was made later than 1900? Earlier?

4. Is it possible the center compartment was a chamber for a small fire?

5. Reminder ... "Sulphur residue" was found in the container. Sulphur was used on battlefield wounds, (to serve as a bandage of sorts and control bleeding. Also disinfects). Is it possible the item was "Medic" related? Sulphur one end - Iodine the other? Gauze roll in the center?

Bottom Line?

For me it has military written all over it!

Lots of questions ... Still looking for answers!

 

[mojjax]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

.

 

[jgowans]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

I sent an email to the Museum of Civil War Medicine...
I will let you know if I hear back.
JG

 

[jgowans]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

I heard back from the folks at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.

Their first thought was a WWI message tube carried by a dog.


Still searching the patents for: message tube, dispatch carrier,,, so on

 

[SODABOTTLEBOB]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

JG_from_NC ~

I have been out of the loop lately, but wanted to thank you for your efforts. It looks like you may be hot on the trail to something. Good job!

SBB

 

[Blacksheep]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

I heard back from the folks at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.

Their first thought was a WWI message tube carried by a dog.


Still searching the patents for: message tube, dispatch carrier,,, so on

Never would have thought that, heres another picture of a similar tube.

Found here: http://www.pawprintsthemagazine.com/?p=4599

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

I heard back from the folks at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.

Their first thought was a WWI message tube carried by a dog.

Still searching the patents for: message tube, dispatch carrier,,, so on

Never would have thought that, heres another picture of a similar tube.

Found here: http://www.pawprintsthemagazine.com/?p=4599

OMG Blacksheep. Its very similar. Good work JG_from_NC. http://schools.mukilteo.wednet.edu/staff/metzlersm/apush/lessons/wwi.htm