493 This may be a pipe tobacco humidor. The green spongy material in the brass cylinder could hold water to keep tobacco fresh through the three holes shown. Stain showing near inside of narrow width in second and third photos would be from rubbing when pulling tobacco into pipe bowl with finger.
10/27/2005 5:45 AM
Anonymous said...
493. I second Canem's evaluation, but am therefore surprised that there is no oder. The brass section should smell of mold and the box should smell of tobacco. It might be a cigar humidor. The wrapped cigars would have transfered less scent and, let's face it, pinching pipe tobaco from a holder that lays on it's side would make quite a mess.
491 I believe is a Butt cap. They are placed at the end of spears for various reasons such as: to prevent the pole from splitting, they help dig into the ground when used against charging enemys/animals, they help balance the weapon, and they are a weapon in and of themselves.
I didn't have any luck with quickly finding a picture elsewhere tonight, I'll try more later.
Thanks for the puzzles, great photos, liked all of the optical stuff you have on your blog.
could 490 be a wrench for removing the grills from a drain of some type. the little knob could be for hooking into the drain cover to lever it off after the retaining bolt was removed. Smith makes drainage supplies.... Edward
490 is a Hydrant Key, used to adjust the water flow in a plumbing fixture. The hook at the tip is used to facilitate the removal of the hydrant grate/cover.
I think this is correct, but I haven't been able to verify it.
11/21/2005 5:49 PM
Anonymous said...
Finally looked into 491, emailed a friend - his response follows:
You're right, it is a butt cap. it is a greek design, almost certainly theatrical and most likely was originally on either a spear or a flag pole with a spear head tip. Most likely it was originally from a theatrical (stage play) armory, however it could also be from a masonic lodge, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Pithius, or Knights Templar. Most likely circa 1890-1940. Unfortunately, for the researcher, decorative butt caps are copied constantly, often because spears were the most common weapon captured or brought home as trophies in times of war. Eastern designs found their way west, western designs found their way east, and all were apreciated for their artistic value and copied for exotic fashion reasons. The original could have been copied, re-copied on and on but I would be very surprised if it dated back past turn of the century.
Hope this helps.
2/03/2006 9:34 PM
490. 4-3/4" long, anyone know what the small part on the right is for? [Image]
491. 3-3/4" tall [Image]
492. Close-up/partial shot of something that everyone has seen before. [Image]
493. 9" x 2" x 2.5" Someone sent this one in looking to find out what it is. Fully assembled: [Image]
Shown removed in this photo, the round part isn't a tight fit into the case. You can see some felt cushions that hold it in. The inside of the rectangular case is unfinished and has no odor or noticeable stains. [Image]
The round piece comes apart. It's lined with brass and had some very fine grained, dried out green sponge or foam inside. You can see there are three holes that extend into the brass lining.
Untitled
16 Comments -
492 Focus knob for binoculars
494 Hearing "aid" sound booster
495 Dough pricker for pies or pizza
10/27/2005 5:33 AM
493 This may be a pipe tobacco humidor. The green spongy material in the brass cylinder could hold water to keep tobacco fresh through the three holes shown. Stain showing near inside of narrow width in second and third photos would be from rubbing when pulling tobacco into pipe bowl with finger.
10/27/2005 5:45 AM
493. I second Canem's evaluation, but am therefore surprised that there is no oder. The brass section should smell of mold and the box should smell of tobacco. It might be a cigar humidor. The wrapped cigars would have transfered less scent and, let's face it, pinching pipe tobaco from a holder that lays on it's side would make quite a mess.
- Edward
10/27/2005 10:59 PM
>492 Focus knob for binoculars
Correct
>494 Hearing "aid" sound booster
No, but it does get placed on the right ear.
>495 Dough pricker for pies or pizza
Nope
>493 This may be a pipe tobacco humidor
Humidor is correct, though according to a pipe smoker, it's a travel humidor for cigars.
10/28/2005 2:21 PM
491 looks vaguely like the end of a window pole....
10/29/2005 8:57 PM
495 is a carpet seaming tool
10/29/2005 8:58 PM
>491 looks vaguely like the end of a window pole...
I'm still trying to find out what this one is.
>495 is a carpet seaming tool
Correct
10/30/2005 6:27 AM
is 494 a lazer pointer for the handicapped/quadraplegic?...?
10/30/2005 9:51 AM
>is 494 a lazer pointer...
This one isn't a laser.
10/30/2005 11:34 AM
491 I believe is a Butt cap. They are placed at the end of spears for various reasons such as: to prevent the pole from splitting, they help dig into the ground when used against charging enemys/animals, they help balance the weapon, and they are a weapon in and of themselves.
I didn't have any luck with quickly finding a picture elsewhere tonight, I'll try more later.
Thanks for the puzzles, great photos, liked all of the optical stuff you have on your blog.
Brian
11/02/2005 10:23 PM
could 490 be a wrench for removing the grills from a drain of some type. the little knob could be for hooking into the drain cover to lever it off after the retaining bolt was removed. Smith makes drainage supplies....
Edward
11/03/2005 1:42 PM
>could 490 be a wrench for removing the grills from a drain of some type...
Best idea that I've heard on this one, I'll see what I can find on that.
>491 I believe is a Butt cap...
Sounds reasonable, I'll look into that also.
11/03/2005 6:37 PM
491 looks very much like a bell clapper...
11/18/2005 3:04 AM
490 is a Hydrant Key, used to adjust the water flow in a plumbing fixture. The hook at the tip is used to facilitate the removal of the hydrant grate/cover.
11/18/2005 3:26 AM
>490 is a Hydrant Key...
I think this is correct, but I haven't been able to verify it.
11/21/2005 5:49 PM
Finally looked into 491, emailed a friend - his response follows:
You're right, it is a butt cap. it is a greek design, almost certainly theatrical and most likely was originally on either a spear or a flag pole with a spear head tip. Most likely it was
originally from a theatrical (stage play) armory, however it could also be from a masonic lodge, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Pithius, or Knights Templar. Most likely circa 1890-1940.
Unfortunately, for the researcher, decorative butt caps are copied constantly, often because spears were the most common weapon captured or brought home as trophies in times of war. Eastern designs found their way west, western designs found their way east, and all were apreciated for their artistic value and copied for exotic fashion reasons. The original could have been copied, re-copied on and on but I would be very surprised if it dated back past turn of the century.
Hope this helps.
2/03/2006 9:34 PM