Posted 11 years ago
Montanacow…
(1 item)
My husband got this item from his grandparents after they passed away and we are trying to identify it. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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I know I am looking at this but I don't believe it. I have never seen but one before. This is probably made of either grape vine or bamboo with one end sharpened down to a point. It appears to be a snake. This is what you used before the roto rooter man was invented if I am correct. They were also used to unclog the rain gutters which were made of wood back then. I would probably call it an antique. I have several metal snakes up to 50 feet long in modern keepers that look the same basic design as yours. I am amazed this survived and looks in good shape.
Thank you. There is a metal pin in the center so I'm trying to figure out what it would attach to. The outer part has been clamped down by wire. If its a snake (could be) how would it have unraveled? Thanks so much :) I was just wondering how it would have worked
If it has been left rolled and allowed to dry out you won't uncoil it without breaking it. Assuming it is a snake that pin will pull out and there should be a hole the same size in the snake or perhaps even a series of holes. Inserting the snake through the hole where the pin is now and then the pin through the hole in the snake allowed the spool to become a handle to turn it to cut through blockages. If there are no holes look to see if one end is sharp and the other end broken off and ragged. A picture of it flipped over might show the ends. It may well be for darning socks but it sure looks like a snake to me :)
I looked again. There is a pointed end but it was nailed down to the rest
OK, then this is not a snake. If it is nailed together then it isn't made to come apart. That would explain what appears to be number nine wire binding it while it dries. I can't explain the center pin at all but who ever nailed this and wired it did it so it would hold the circular shape as it dried. I can think of hundreds of uses for it in decorative work. Did grandpa or grandma by chance dabble in craft work?
I wish this had been a snake I have old wooden rain gutter and I want a grapevine snake.
They had an antique store. We aren't sure what it would have been used for. We are hoping to find out soon tho :)
Look at the post below as an example of one way to use such things.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/45948-pewter-round-thing-with-bamboo?in=activity
maybe a handle for something that would get hot. The wood would insulate.