Posted 10 years ago
labiron
(2 items)
This is an interesting old piece of cast iron! Overall it measures 15 inches by 8 inches. Looks like it was put in the ground and string was pulled out and wound back in, just my thought! I know from collecting cast iron cookware that the piece is late 1800's to early 1900's from the gate marks on the piece. Love old iron stuff and this one caught my eye. Found in Rhode Island. Also found a similar piece that is not as old, no gate marks.
Surveyors used a chain to measure. Could have been used in other trades with a string for layout purposes.
Welcome to CW
Found another one online with a spike on the other end of the string, same shape as the center spike.
I am going to take your word for this and sit back and watch. It is old but a surveyor never used it. Also it was probably made outside the USA.
Search Google for ANTIQUE CAST IRON GARDEN REEL & LINE TOOL STRING HOLDER SPOOL.
Probably made in England. Walks is right on target. I used one a good many times years ago. They aren't terribly valuable but in the US they are an odd collectable. They also work for laying out batter boards for a foundation but not for survey.
I think its solved! Antique English Garden Reel, String Holder. Neat site, thanks to all who helped out! Can't wait to help someone else out.
You're most welcome.