Posted 9 years ago
tommann35
(4 items)
Trying to figure out what it was used for. The bottom brown is bakelite i think. Has a spring in it. All one piece. any ideas appreciated. must have went into something pretty deep with a 7 foot chain.
some sort of old measuring device with 7 ft chain in fancy wooden case??? | ||
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You say it is marked as "Eagle Lock", on the case, correct? Eagle lock only made locks (as far as i know). from the mid 1800's till 1975 ish, so where is this mark located, as I cannot see it?. Is the inside of the wood case lined with any metal, epoxy, or any other smooth material? Are there any graduation marks on the rod that is attached to the chain? Thanks
Thanks for the help! Eagle lock is on all the clasps and I saw them on google from 1800 and early 1900's. no lining inside just very smooth wood. Also there is some sort of almost medicinal smell the only graduation mark seems to be the one that is in the metal circle. it is flush with the top and comes down to the middle of the circle when the rod is pulled down manually from the bottom its full quarter to 1/2 inch or so. Also the chain is only attached to the fixed metal top of the unit. i does not connect to the spring mechanism in any way. Thanks!
My first guess, is that this may be a liquid sampling tool, for taking samples from inside a tank, or drum. QUESTION: When you push the 2 pistons together, does it cock, and hold in place, until the wire at the top is pulled? The bottom portion would possibly hold the sample, (before it was destroyed), until the tool was pulled out of the tank, and the unit was un-cocked. I have seen a similar device used to sample diesel fuel in underground fuel tanks. I'm still looking though. PS. When you say it smells medicinal, does that mean alcohol?
@frisco that's what I was thinking as well, like a small version of a Van Dorn or Kemmerer Bottle.
T A
Thanks so much for all your comments! Nothing seems to cock or hold and the wire at the top just hold the unit to the chain. I found a hole (appears to do nothing) on the side and there a 3 wires at the bottom of the unit attached of various lengths. see new pics. The only movement is the quarter to 1/2 inch stretch of the unit when pulled from the bottom the spring is tight- filling it with only liquid would not move it.
Hello tommann35: Do You have any additional information to add to your device, such as where you found it, what line of work was the person you got it from in, etc., etc.? I do know it has to be a portable testing, or sampling device, but need more info to pursue it.
got it from a clean out garage sale for $1.00. I have a really smart friend who sent me..."It appears to be a measuring tool for heat....The inner part appears to be a thermostat type set up..and the end past the bakelite?type material seems to be the sensor..If it tested hot liquids?that would explain the degradation of that material...appears to be from apx.1900-1920? All I can think of is thermostatic tester."
Something odd. The brown material was in much better shape before I washed it. It was like it aged a to and got brittle overnight?
To confirm the possible thermostatic theory, here is what I would do next: Use a heat source near the 2 torpedo cylinders, (such as a heat gun. or hair dryer) and see if they move! If that does nothing, try a cold substance, such as a can of freeze mist, ice, etc. I think you are one the right track, so keep at it.
I think it was a sampling device. when i played with it and pulled down metal inside it did lock. when the bottom touched something it sprang shut at the bottom appearing to keep in what ever it was sampling.