Posted 7 years ago
TheGateKee…
(222 items)
I recently added Burkholder gate number four to my stash. This one is a very early prototype or salesman sample. You can see that the crudely built operating mechanism matches the patent drawing very closely. Improvements were definitely made in the later models in my collection. I bought this as is. In the near future I hope to get into my workshop and fabricate the broken part and add the missing ropes and weights. Updated photos will be added as work progresses. Unfolded it is 34" W x 20" D x 11" H.
I bought it at an online auction held near Farmersville , Pennsylvania, the home of the patentee Isaac Burkholder, patent no. 377479, February 7, 1888.
JULY 6, 2017 - ADDED RESTORATION PHOTOS. FABRICATED UPPER BASKET AND ADDED CABLES AND WEIGHTS. CLEANED MODEL THOROUGHLY. GATE OPERATES VERY WELL.
I love old mechanical devices like this, Look forward to seeing it restored.
Hope I don't disappoint you PoliicalPinbacks. It will be a labor of love. Have always been a"fixer". Love making broken things work again. I grew up on a farm and we never threw anything away, we fixed it. Thanks for your comment.
Oroyoroy --- Those are mighty kind words. Thank you. Have a safe holiday.
I don't know where you find all these gate samples & like trying to figure them out.
Blunderbuss - patent models and salesman samples show up periodically on EBay and Auctions. Sometimes I'm lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. It's a challenging hobby. Researching the history of an item can take you to on a adventure of discovery. Saving a piece of history from oblivion is very rewarding.
I know the feeling.
I fear your items are a bit underappreciated. You have some rather unique items.
Thank you fortapache. Most folks think I'm crazy. Really nice to hear from a fellow collector.
Your postings are very informative. Very interesting pieces of history.
Thank you buckethead. Hope I am getting it right. Big responsibility when you share.
After viewing your collection it makes me envious of not having a collection. When I worked on a farm I believe I always noticed the fencing, miles and miles of it, seemed to contain the same wire.
PhilDMorris - It is very likely all the wire where you worked was all the same. Some areas were fenced with rail car loads of wire from one manufacturer. Not too late to start a collection.
Phil, do you think it will fit in with your decor ? LOL