This was found in a friend's chicken coop; any ideas?

What is it?

...at first I thought you said chicken soup! 

Sorry but I don't know what size the coin donates...... but could it be a pigeon message capsule which was attached to the birds leg?... or some type of weird type of whistle?

I'll follow in my fellow Kiwi's footsteps, I'll go the whole hog and suggest it is an animal caller  maybe

Is it hollow all the way through?
Mike

Tinder box ?

This thing is about 6-7" long, the quarter is just there for size comparison.  It has 3 separate compartments, a small one on each end (one is shown opened up, and the large middle one which is opened by rotating the outer "sleeve".  One of the end compartments had a yellow residue in it. 
-Gerry

I don't know what it is but I would suggest that maybe whatever material was contained in both ends was combined in the center compartment for some reason....perhaps a chemical heater or some other kind of chemical reaction. Obviously, the center rotating cover meant for the material to be well controlled. Interesting item.

Jim

Just a guess, but maybe something to do with candeling a egg to see if the yolk has developed or not?


HH
Slipperyjack47

I dont know either but I found a shopsmith in an old chicken coop, the guy gave it to me.

Having been found in a chicken coop may well have no bearing at all in its actual purpose, but keeping in theme with the location;

Perhaps a sampling tube, to store 3 different types of samples, like grain.

Or maybe a medicine/mineral dispensing tube.  Keep 2 different types of ingredients in the end compartments, use the middle to combine or even mix with some food then twist open to dispense.

Trying to google it, but hard to come up with the right search parameters to get anything relevant.

Somebody hopefully has seen one of these and can bring its use to light.

in the second pic I thought I saw the letter L on the end of the tube, does the other end have any markings?

Does the middle section have any evidence of being used as a burner? At one point burned sulphur was used to get rid of fleas and lice. I could foresee setting a fire in the middle section to cause fumes from the end sections if filled with sulphur.  Either that or it's a lipstick tube for a girl with REALLY big lips...

Or it could be a two person marijuana smoking pipe.  When your friend's relatives wanted to get high, they snuck out to the chickencoop, filled the center part with the vile weed, and one of them sucked on each end.  The draw was controlled by rotating the center hole open or closed.  Of course you had to be on very good terms with the person sharing the pipe. Burning your lips on the metal was an added risk.

It looks like a grain sampler to me.  I've used similar samplers when I worked at Pabst.  The end caps may be for info on the sample in the middle.  It was probably dropped by the farmer when he was tending to the chickens.  Cluck, cluck.

TimC   Nice find.

Interesting ideas so far folks!

tx: I don't recall any letter markings on this piece.
I also didn't see anything that made me think it was heated or burned.
-Gerry

messenger pigeon transport/delivery tube   

Ill take a wild guess. Something for rat poison? The poison could be stored in the ends, poured into the cap and deposited into the center. The center opening could be adjusted for the rats size. Im just guessing.

It's a bit tricky trying to judge the whatsit's size from the coin. Is it possible to have a pic with a scale alongside?
Please

and I must admit, my very first thought was similar to mojjax's - re the tinder box. Lint in the middle, flints one side or t'other.
Mike
 

It's a bit tricky trying to judge the whatsit's size from the coin. Is it possible to have a pic with a scale alongside?
Please

and I must admit, my very first thought was similar to mojjax's - re the tinder box. Lint in the middle, flints one side or t'other.
Mike
 

Maybe the fire could be started in the center on windy days with the adjustable opening for air. It is 6-7 inches long or about 15-18 centimetres.  Is this a bit large for a tinderbox?

i have been lurking since this was posted.
the size and color of the object lead me to be it is military, not issue, but purchased.
a piece from an officers toilet kit? mess kit?

od green is not a favorite of farmers.

It's a bit tricky trying to judge the whatsit's size from the coin. Is it possible to have a pic with a scale alongside?
Please

and I must admit, my very first thought was similar to mojjax's - re the tinder box. Lint in the middle, flints one side or t'other.
Mike
 

Maybe the fire could be started in the center on windy days with the adjustable opening for air. It is 6-7 inches long or about 15-18 centimetres.  Is this a bit large for a tinderbox?

I would think at that size, you are right

Thats going to be one big pigeon. 

Reguarding another photo, my friend has it now.  I'll see about another one.
If you see green, it's an oxidation; it appears to be copper, soldered.

A rooster's spur trimmer?  To keep one rooster from killing the rest.  Sulphur was kept in one end to prevent infection, and alum kept in other end to stop bleeding when spur was cut too short.  Put roosters spur in center and rotate to trim.....NGE (T)

A rooster's spur trimmer?  To keep one rooster from killing the rest.  Sulphur was kept in one end to prevent infection, and alum kept in other end to stop bleeding when spur was cut too short.  Put roosters spur in center and rotate to trim.....NGE (T)

Since you are holding the bird in one hand, this must be a two man operation.
Chicken Chronicles:  

LOL....very phunny, big cy.. nge

First hard boiled egg maker!

Just a guess, but maybe something to do with candeling a egg to see if the yolk has developed or not?


HH
Slipperyjack47

I agree.  Low tech egg candling device.  Rotate it open, insert egg, point one end toward the sun (or other light source), look in the other end to check the egg.

DCMatt

The ends do not appear to go through though. They look like storage compartments. The center -twist to open- section is the mystery. My guess is to hold spices or dry goods for travel. Coffee, tea, salt, something along those lines.

Rat trap? Holds poison that the chickens cant reach?

JG is right; they are 3 separate compartments. 
Lots of great ideas!
-Gerry

What about a pocket type heater? End compartments would hold charcoal or some other slow burning source. The center part would be an adjustable burning chamber. Yet another guess.....

JG is right; they are 3 separate compartments. 
Lots of great ideas!
-Gerry

We may need some more clues. Was it on the ground?  Is it corroded inside?  both sides?

I believe its very old because it is copper with soldered joints.  Maybe homeade.  Any markings? Anything inside?  Any evidence of burning?

What about a pocket type heater? End compartments would hold charcoal or some other slow burning source. The center part would be an adjustable burning chamber. Yet another guess.....

I was thinking along those lines in reply # 18.

Egg Bazooka

Check this out, wish it had a better description of the center.

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/provenceantiques/item/R-0022

Check this out, wish it had a better description of the center.

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/provenceantiques/item/R-0022

Several have suggested tinderbox but thought it was too big.
This may be a larger version where the fire is actually started in the center on windy days.  JerryL , are there any burnt marks (black) inside?

GerryL will have to tell us. I am just a guesser here.
This is going to bug me....

Yah, ya put pignuts in 'em to keep 'em warm

Yellow residue inside makes me think feed! The center looks just right for egg to fit in with oval shape and all!
Thing is why and for what?

GerryL will have to tell us. I am just a guesser here.
This is going to bug me....

Im sorry...I meant JerryL.  I changed it.

ADDED: Sorry GerryL  ....trying to post too fast.

I'll see if I can get it again for some better photos inside.  I don't recall any signs of burning, etc.
And it is GerryL, no prob though!  :-)

My Dad has a ball pistol that has something like this that holds the goodies for it...firing caps.. bullets, gunpowder...could it be a munitions container?

Tobacco cannister?

Maybe it served no purpose.  Maybe the person that made it was a bored tinkerer and thought it would be cool to see what he could come up with.  Looks cool though.  How old is the coop?  The house it was found at?  How long has your friend lived there?  Does he tend to the coop daily?  Did it appear out of the blue one day when he went out there?  And the most important question of all.......  Was it laid by a chicken?

I'm thinking fishing related. Some type of bait box.

It is rumored that when Col sanders first went into the fried chicken business he had very few funds. So, he would sneak into hen houses and drug the hens so they wouldn't squawk and sneak them out during the night.  That is one of his drug kits.  Whatever you do don't sniff the residue.   I am sure that this information is true except for the part I made up. 
 Egad, I haven't a clue really.  No telling what that thing is.  Dad use to have a container of two different kinds of powder to put on pigs after they were castrated to prevent infection and stop the bleeding.  It had alum and some other antibiotic type stuff but I don't know what it was.  No telling.  Monty

I heard back from one of the Antiques Roadshow guys and they had no idea.....

you guys may be barking up the wrong tree. it might not have anything to do with chickens. it could be from when granny trying to hide her stash from gramps or just something the kids dragged out there while playing army and dropped in the chicken s**t.

It looks like an old cidar case to me and the guitene in the center was used to cut off the end of the cigar.

It looks like an old cidar case to me and the guitene in the center was used to cut off the end of the cigar.

It isn't hollow 

It looks like an old cidar case to me and the guitene in the center was used to cut off the end of the cigar.

It isn't hollow 

LOL, well that shoots that theory. I'm stumped then.

I am leaning toward the tobacco canister idea. The center compartment would hold the tobacco and the end cap storage areas could hold rolling papers and matches??

Or something along those lines. It seems the center compartment would hold a dry product of some kind and the end compartments would hold something related to the center stuff but would need to be seperate until ready to use. It is too big to be a pocket or portable item. Maybe for a parlor or study.

Or prepare the items in the workshop and take them out into the field.
 

They used to treat poultry skin conditions with sulphur mixed with lard or coal oil. (ie) chicken pox, scaly leg and white comb.

A chicken guillotine.

That looks SOOOO familiar.  I swear I lived another life at some time.   

sooo will a egg fit in it?

Not while it's still in the shape of an egg!   

Still leaning on tinderbox as was suggested earlier, tinder in one end, spark tools in the other, started in the center section that has an adjustable opening that could be adjusted to keep wind/rain out or to add larger bits of fuel. It may not have soot showing simply because it may never have been used.

(how many gadgets have we all bought or received that got tossed in a drawer and forgotten?)

Another wild guess..... Could it be a container to hold saltpetre, charcoal and sulphur, the three ingredients for gun powder?  Well, probably not. It sure is interesting though.

DANGLANGLEY

I can imagine it to be like a Campers/Hunters piece of kit; it must have held two and possibly three different 'things' which all meant something to each other
Tinderbox and other suggestions here all seem to have some merit.

I would really like to see a pic of this wassit? in someone's hand, to get some perspective  please 

Mike

Old pnuematic bank teller tube??

I believe that this was attatched to a dial that went from 1-15 and thermostatically controlled the film advance that caught the egg laying sequence as it started to boil

Good one walleye! LOL

Time for a re-view 

Old pnuematic bank teller tube??

thats what I'm thinking

HH
-GC

here is a pic of similar one

HH
-GC

Looks like an old "cheap" cigar cutter to me as already mentioned.  I've found one just like it.

Looks like an old "cheap" cigar cutter to me as already mentioned.  I've found one just like it.

Can you post the picture please? It may provide us a clue and it would be great to solve this.

Anything from a incubator part to a beer making part..
Do a google search of cylinder with sleeve valve and end compartments.
or aperature valve and end compartments..

J2

Looks like a cigar cutter to me..

Looks like a cigar cutter to me..

rusty, (I feel I know you well )
Is it possible to provide a different pic or diagram of what you say it is, please 
If it is a cigar cutter, what are the two end compartments for?
Cheers, Mike

This thing is hand soldered copper and most likely very old.  The best idea I have heard so far is a fire starter kit.

The opening is awful big for cutting cigars and we dont even know if it is sharp.

When I was in the Corps, the Catholic chaplin had a very simular device for anoiting casulaties for their last rites. The ends held some oily substance and what looked like cotton balls.

LMAO @ monty!

I vote for rat killer dispenser.

 

Looks like a cigar cutter to me..

why the 3 different compartments?

I vote for rat killer dispenser.

 

same question.   

Old pnuematic bank teller tube??

Old pnuematic bank teller tube??

thats what I'm thinking

HH
-GC

same question. 

It's an egg warmer.......to keep the egg warm while the old hen has to take a potty break! 

This unidentified treasure, in my opinion, has been too long off the radar. I know we have a lot of new knowledgeable people here since this was last 'posted', so here it is again.
Mike

could be hand warmer boot warmer cotton store both ends with karosene . only military type was square about same size. mabey never used .   

messenger pigeon transport/delivery tube   

TOO BIG PEOPLE FOR THAT. PIGEONS ARE NOT THAT BIG

Looks a lot like what was called a renewable fuse in days gone by...having worked industrial maintenance, have seen some that look just like it

http://www.agri-instrument.com/product-detail.asp?Id=890

I believe it is part of an old grain or soil sample kit.

Reminds me of the gadget that I have seen priest use in adminstering the last rites. One end has ashes the other has something else? and the center had cotton balls. I just observed it's use..didn't ask questions.

messenger pigeon transport/delivery tube   

yeah you could deliver the whole bird. it's magic trickery!   

Chicken decapitator?  sorry.

I wonder if maybe it had something to do with egg candling.....  

I think mcmich is closest.  I remember in the '40s department stores used
pnuematic tubes to send the order upstairs to billing dept with the money
and sales slip inclosed.  Then billing would send it back with the paid bill
and change for the customer.

Your all wrong...

I you look at the small lettering around the top, y'all find that its used to shave chicken pin feathers...

Also known as a Chicken Schick

I'm thinking it might be an old storage container for black powder gun, to put reload materials in? Who knows, sounds good, Ken.

It's a turkey De-Nutter ..........NGE

It's a turkey De-Nutter ..........NGE

Is that what Thanks for Giving is all about? 

Mike

I believe that this was attatched to a dial that went from 1-15 and thermostatically controlled the film advance that caught the egg laying sequence as it started to boil

1. like 'nowgittineverything' said put the pignuts in, which both are pretty funny. then, i believe it was used as a carnival 'pay for view' kaleidoscope. you could view the pignuts for the count of 15 for a penny.

2. feeder for the farmer that liked to raise hyper chickens...twinkie holder in the middle. then the sugar on one end and marshmellow cream on the other.

here's one that might 'hold water' or 'pass the test' or 'just be a wag'   
miner's resupply for their helmet light. carbide in the middle and a measured amount of water on the ends. say, two four hour supplies.

or for the high brow miner or anyone else for that matter. a coffee mess. coffee, sugar, cream

Ok, Ok, cut the comedy.  It's plain to see it is an anal drug smuggling device. uch! Monty

Ok, Ok, cut the comedy.  It's plain to see it is an anal drug smuggling device. uch! Monty

hee hee hee...i made you say device!        

Ok, Ok, cut the comedy.  It's plain to see it is an anal drug smuggling device. uch! Monty

hee hee hee...i made you say device!        

-and I thought this was a Family show   

tag

Old military ... POWDER, CAP, and Ball container.

Powder in the center (wide open for filling ... adjustable for dispensing) and cap and ball on either end. 

P.S.  When I add the little "I don't know" guy, why does spell check keep telling me to change it to "downtown?"   

I'm thinking it might be an old storage container for black powder gun, to put reload materials in? Who knows, sounds good, Ken.

Old military ... POWDER, CAP, and Ball container.

Powder in the center (wide open for filling ... adjustable for dispensing) and cap and ball on either end.  

Ive loaded a lot of muzzleloaders and I wouldnt think to use this container for a speed loader or storage.  The openings are not the right size for dispensing powder. I know its adjustible but I think it would be hard to pour. I think this is looking in the wrong direction. But maybe for fire making materials.    

not sure of this was guessed before. but, because of the yellow powder found maybe a chicken vitamin dispenser    

Military mess kit item!

Sugar in the center for coffee.
Salt and pepper on the ends for boiled eggs!
 
As for boiling the water, that's what helmets are for!

why can't it be a contraption somebody was fiddling with, and serves no real purpose?


 

lol. Someone went to a lot of trouble hand soldering this copper.

I just realized we have a page 2.

Put the  your curser on the icon and it shows "dontknow" which is not a word so the spellcheck tries to correct you.   

cool....spell check!           

Military mess kit item!

Sugar in the center for coffee.
Salt and pepper on the ends for boiled eggs!
 
As for boiling the water, that's what helmets are for!

maybe some matches with the pepper. and breakfast is served at and from the chicken coop!           

tobacco /pot stash for green giant?

Could be a cigar cutter?

Spur cutter for cocks and a powder antiseptic in the end. 

Spur cutter for cocks and a powder antiseptic in the end. 

If I had to invent a spur cutter - it wouldn't look like that.

Mike

Spur cutter for cocks and a powder antiseptic in the end. 

If I had to invent a spur cutter - it wouldn't look like that.

Mike

Me either

Perhaps,??? the chicken farmer got all his stock hooked on coke in an attempt to lead said bird to stick it's head into this rotary guillotine?

In Europe, there were pneumatic mail systems that actually had tubing laid like plumbing under the streets.  We experimented with it here in Boston, NYC, Chicago and some other larger cities.  This looks very much like an early capsule used by one of those systems.  Western Union had a lot of these.

In Europe, there were pneumatic mail systems that actually had tubing laid like plumbing under the streets.  We experimented with it here in Boston, NYC, Chicago and some other larger cities.  This looks very much like an early capsule used by one of those systems.  Western Union had a lot of these.

It sure does resemble those containers at drive-in banks. Somebody went to a lot of trouble soldering this thing to exact specifications. Maybe someone will find a pic of a very early pneumatic mail tube.      http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi2117.htm

So what out being able to put everthing into the bank tuble. You had three departments to cram stuff into with a center section that would cut off a finger. That does not make much sense.
 Could it have been used to clip the end of birds wings ya know those feathers to keep them from flying?
 Crazy it looks like the blades of a cigar cutter I have but  mines is shaped like a turkey  !!

In Europe, there were pneumatic mail systems that actually had tubing laid like plumbing under the streets.  We experimented with it here in Boston, NYC, Chicago and some other larger cities.  This looks very much like an early capsule used by one of those systems.  Western Union had a lot of these.

 

http://www.imget.ru/images/2010/01/11/ijQwOwxCJy.jpg

To use the item as a device for cutting, chopping, whatever
you need two hands.
Who is going to hold the Chook?
Mike

not sure of this was guessed before. but, because of the yellow powder found maybe a chicken vitamin dispenser    

because it is not sharp that all it could be good for was to put something in. the two end containers were holding something as well.
because it was found in the chicken house, right?.... it makes sense it was for mixing medicines or vitamins with feed in the center area...shaken/mixed then dispensed to a feed container.

not sure of this was guessed before. but, because of the yellow powder found maybe a chicken vitamin dispenser    

because it is not sharp that all it could be good for was to put something in. the two end containers were holding something as well.
because it was found in the chicken house, right?.... it makes sense it was for mixing medicines or vitamins with feed in the center area...shaken/mixed then dispensed to a feed container.

makes sense.

messenger pigeon transport/delivery tube   

TOO BIG PEOPLE FOR THAT. PIGEONS ARE NOT THAT BIG

Maybe they had carrier chickens!

Pipe bomb?

how about an egg warmer---incubator---transporter.
coals or embers in the end and a wrapped up egg in the center?     

Have you tasted the yellow powder or at the very least, injected it into one of your chickens? Two things could happen, each equally revealing: 1) you/your chicken could instantly dehydrate and die, or 2) you/your chicken achieve a state of powerful elightenment that unravels all the world's mysteries, including why anyone would want to withdraw sulphur from a drive-through teller, steal the canister, then hide the contraband under a clump of chicken feces.

including why anyone would want to withdraw sulphur from a drive-through teller, steal the canister, then hide the contraband under a clump of chicken feces.

...the perfect crime

why can't it be a contraption somebody was fiddling with, and serves no real purpose?

That's called art and this is no art. There's some obvious utility to it.

dono but is cool

why can't it be a contraption somebody was fiddling with, and serves no real purpose?

  Im with Slipperyjack47 on this one. Something to do with the egg doin's
at the coop.....

why can't it be a contraption somebody was fiddling with, and serves no real purpose?

That's called art and this is no art. There's some obvious utility to it.

If there was an obvious utility to it...wouldn't there be thousands of them laying around?

There are many patents that became failures. Maybe its a homeade one of a kind item that somebody was fiddling with but whoever made it spent a lot of time soldering it the old fashioned way and making it to these specifications. It seems to be a very well made item that is perfectly rounded and perfectly fitted with tight fitting caps and hasnt been used much. I agree its not art.

 Its too bad there are no manufacturers markings.

Its too bad there are no manufacturers markings.

Come to think of it, I'd check again for a manufacturer mark. It looks too high quality for someone not to take credit for it. Might shine a light down there.

Its too bad there are no manufacturers markings.

Come to think of it, I'd check again for a manufacturer mark. It looks too high quality for someone not to take credit for it. Might shine a light down there.

I agree its quality made.

We cant google it because we dont know what it is.

Its a tool to castrate chickens or for other farm animals.

Its a tool to castrate chickens or for other farm animals.

Are you guessing? Can you tell us how you know this? What are the end containers for? Is it a 2 man operation?

I hope you are correct but I dont think its sharp.

Its a tool to castrate chickens or for other farm animals.

So a testicle for each cup? Male chickens don't have external sex organs. I never thought I'd say those words.

Its a tool to castrate chickens or for other farm animals.

So a testicle for each cup? Male chickens don't have external sex organs. I never thought I'd say those words.

I thought he meant cut off the head but I just dont see it. I think Fisheye was just guessing.

Maybe a magicians trick. An egg is put in the canister and suddenly a chick comes out 

     I wonder if that could be a fence post bank? I have heard them mentioned several times but I don't think I have ever seen one. Nothing on google about them either, pictures anyway. I think there was a post with a newspaper ad about them but that was a long time ago.

HH Charlie

Does it have to be chicken/egg related, just because it was found in a chicken coop? Couldn't it be a plumbers doo-dad or an electricians soldering paste holder?
 

   

     Nope it sure don't, it could be from anywhere and for anything. I'm sure a lot of things wound up in chicken coops that had nothing to do with raising chickens.

Its a torture device for Al-Qaeda terrorists.They make em put a body part in the open tube and slowly turn the blade till they talk.More effective than waterboarding.

What is it?

I've been known to be wrong before so don't lay money on it but I think it was for cutting cigar tips in the center section. It it is old, the ends were used for snuff and cocaine. (Before it was deemed illegal it was used in Coca-Cola.)  ;)

What is it?

I've been known to be wrong before so don't lay money on it but I think it was for cutting cigar tips in the center section. It it is old, the ends were used for snuff and cocaine. (Before it was deemed illegal it was used in Coca-Cola.)  ;)

It would take 2 hands to turn it to cut the tip off the cigar.

What is it?

I keep checking back to see if anyone has positively identified this item. It has been over seven months since the last post, did you find out or give up?

-Ken

What is it?

I keep checking back to see if anyone has positively identified this item. It has been over seven months since the last post, did you find out or give up?

-Ken

Likewise Mate. I'm impressed
It's imprinted in my cells
so to speak
Mike

I have been thinking about this item as well.  I wish we had an egg expert to ask if this is chicken related.

 I believe it is a fungicide dispenser and that the yellow powder is sulphur. It was sprayed onto fruit trees to combat pests and fungi. Now how it worked is anybody's guess.

                             TOBACCO RELATED LIKE THE ITEM SHOWN HERE

OR ... POSSIBLY A NAVAL-TYPE CONTAINER THEY SENT MESSAGES BY VIA AN AIR FLOW TUBE FROM ONE DECK TO ANOTHER ?  (I LIKE THIS "GUESS" BEST). ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE MILITARY GREEN COLOR.  

I do believe this post is destined to have as long a life as the infamous "found in a football field...what are they?" post.

I may be on a wild goose chase here, but I am finding some interesting stuff related to ...

                         (old) ... "Pneumatic Tube Systems" ...

                        ... with lots of text, but very few photos!

Pneumatic Tube:

Pneumatic tubes, also known as capsule pipelines or Lamson tubes, are systems in which cylindrical containers are propelled through a network of tubes by compressed air or by vacuum. They are used for transporting physical objects.

I may be on a wild goose chase here, but I am finding some interesting stuff related to ...

                         (old) ... "Pneumatic Tube Systems" ...

                        ... with lots of text, but very few photos!

Pneumatic Tube:

Pneumatic tubes, also known as capsule pipelines or Lamson tubes, are systems in which cylindrical containers are propelled through a network of tubes by compressed air or by vacuum. They are used for transporting physical objects.

     I remember looking at a lot of web pages and thinking the same thing but I never could nail it down. The thing about pneumatic tubes was that they needed some type of leather or rubber washer type thing to make it air-tight so it would go through the tube. This thing doesn't seem to have any groove on it for one of those. Glad this got back into circulation, I always wanted to find out what it is.

HH Charlie

savant365 ~

Thanks ... I am beginning to think the same thing. I have seen some patents (which there are tons of going all the way back to 1890 / possibly earlier) that show detachable end-cushions, but most are one piece. These so called "Pneumatic Dispatch Tube Carriers" were quite the invention during their day, with the U.S. Postal Service (way-way back / early 20th century) using a similar system for transporting mail from one station to another. But those particular tubes were about the size of a small trash barrel.

But in the back of my mind I can't seem to eliminate that itching sensation that leads me to suspect the item in question is somehow military related. But as someone touched on previously, you would think it would have a makers mark or some other manufacturing indication on it. But apparently it doesn't.

Long story short ... I don't know what the heck it is! But I still invision it in the dispatch bag of a World War II courrier as he raced along some foreign road on his side-car motorcycle carring a message of utmost importance. But then again, maybe it was just something that grandma kept her spare buttons and needles in. Who knows? I don't!

Plus, the design of the chicken coop tube would not allow the insertion of full sheets of rolled paper anyway. Something else went in there. But what?

Thanks again,

SBB

                                        1920s tube carrier by the Lamson Co.  

I respect Bobs family knowledge on anything egg related... so... since he hasnt said anything, I will assume this has nothing to do with chickens or eggs.

Its a very good What Is It for sure.  I have no idea what it is but keep in mind that this item was hand soldered. I have seen cups made this way, (with the seam) that date back to the Civil War. My guess would be WWI era. I like the courier idea.

Im not sure how it could stay so shiny inside the cap all these years.   Either it has been closed a very long time or there is always the possibility that its just one-of-a-kind homemade the old fashioned way. Just some things to think about.    But homemade shop project or not, it must have a purpose and was made for a very precise fit.  Ill check back in a few days.

During the early 1880's, with the support of popular explorers such as Burton and Stanley, the British Army began casting about for a more portable "standard" ration, which could be counted on to sustain troops on campaign when cut off from regular sources of supply.

The first such product obtained was through the Bovril Company of London. It consisted of a metal or waxed fiberboard tube, which was partitioned in the middle. The metal versions of these generally had a soldered-on cap in place at both ends which was removed via a peel-away metal strip (similar to turn-key ham tins). The fiber board or waxed cardboard versions had glued-in-place caps with a piece of canvas tape protruding to facilitate opening.

One end held 'Bovril Paste', also known as 'Johnston's Fluid Beef', or what is known today as instant bullion (the pasty stuff mum uses to make kidney soup with). This portion of the container was normally marked 'Dinner'.

The other end held either a temperature resistant chocolate bar or cocoa powder. The portion of the container holding the chocolate was either marked 'Chocolate Ration', or 'Cocoa', regardless whether actual chocolate or cocoa powder was inside.

There were a variety of these rations produced clear into the early part of the 20th century, and many Bovril emergency rations made for the Boer war found their way into Royal navy emergency supplies during World War I, nearly 20 years after they had been made!

It is unclear whether the quality was high enough to warrant this, or if British thriftiness had gotten the better of the bluejacket's planners...

  Description: Emergency ration tin, oval with no markings. Boer War. 1899-1902.

                                "Food" For Thought ...

1. Is it possible the item in question is some type of war ration container? (Mess Kit).

2. If so, is it possibly from another country other than Britian? France? Germany?

3. Is it possibly something that was made later than 1900?  Earlier?

4. Is it possible the center compartment was a chamber for a small fire?

5. Reminder ... "Sulphur residue" was found in the container. Sulphur was used on battlefield wounds, (to serve as a bandage of sorts and control bleeding. Also disinfects). Is it possible the item was "Medic" related? Sulphur one end - Iodine the other? Gauze roll in the center?

                                              Bottom Line?

                          For me it has military written all over it!

                       Lots of questions ... Still looking for answers!

.

I sent an email to the Museum of Civil War Medicine...
I will let you know if I hear back.
JG

I heard back from the folks at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.

Their first thought was a WWI message tube carried by a dog.


Still searching the patents for: message tube, dispatch carrier,,, so on

JG_from_NC ~

I have been out of the loop lately, but wanted to thank you for your efforts. It looks like you may be hot on the trail to something.  Good job!   

SBB

I heard back from the folks at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.

Their first thought was a WWI message tube carried by a dog.


Still searching the patents for: message tube, dispatch carrier,,, so on

Never would have thought that, heres another picture of a similar tube. 

Found here:  http://www.pawprintsthemagazine.com/?p=4599

I heard back from the folks at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine.

Their first thought was a WWI message tube carried by a dog.

Still searching the patents for: message tube, dispatch carrier,,, so on

Never would have thought that, heres another picture of a similar tube.  

Found here:  http://www.pawprintsthemagazine.com/?p=4599

OMG Blacksheep. Its very similar. Good work JG_from_NC.  http://schools.mukilteo.wednet.edu/...aff/metzlersm/apush/lessons/wwi.htm

Great work people  It's good to see all the interest still, for this object. It has certainly worked my imagination since it appeared here.

The dog message cylinder looks like a possibility due to it being a cylinder of similar size - but there the similarity seems to end.

I have to comment; there are no signs of attachment points on the Tnet cylinder; why the two end compartments? also - If the centre (center) compartment was for holding messages, why not a simple rectangular opening instead of the complicated oval?
Imagine trying to tuck a folded piece of paper into the centre - it doesn't make sense.

What does make sense (to me) for the centre compartment is if it was packed (and easily repacked) with a material such as tinder cloth, which suggests to me (as I've said before) a tinder 'box'
or packed with cotton wool for, as others have suggested, a medicine kit, whether for poultry or people.

Cheers, Mike

Good points.  I was thinking it was simply attached with 2 leather straps.  The tube could simply be twisted to remove the message. I dont have an explanation for the end compartments.

Isnt it kinda large for a tinder box?

                                       AMBULANCE DOG ?    
                                    
                                               First Aid Tube ?

                             But where's the attachments for straps ?

                                       (I'm Still Researching This)

                                                     SBB

"The French war dogs are divided into five classes, each of which performs a special type of work. There are sentinel dogs, patrol dogs, ambulance dogs, dispatch dogs and drought dogs. In all these departments of military activity they have proved their worth."

its a old mating fight tube, each cap would hold a chemical that would be poured into the center of the tube, causing the male and females to kindle

Isnt it kinda large for a tinder box?

Kia ora Mate,
I'm not an expert, so I have to say, I don't know.
Like you, I keep an open mind until the ID is positive  

I highly suspect we are looking at a one-off, whatever it is.
Made by a skilled craftsman is without doubt.
Maybe he was trying to improve on this clumsy arrangement

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinderbox

and Cheers SodaBob
Mike

                   Same to you Mike ... and a Merry Christmas to all.

It'll probably turn out to be some kitchen thingy that grandma threw at grandpa because he was out in the chicken coop drinkin' hooch!   

The photo below is by no means a positive identification, and is shown merely to establish that those so called Ambulance / Mercy Dogs of WWI did carry a "similar" looking tube around their necks. (Was it curiosity or speculation that killed the cat ?)  

SBB

                   Same to you Mike ... and a Merry Christmas to all.

It'll probably turn out to be some kitchen thingy that grandma threw at grandpa because he was out in the chicken coop drinkin' hooch!   

Probably the closest yet! 

Merry Christmas SBB.

                       Blacksheep ... Happy Holidays to you as well.

The following quote was posted by thread starter "GerryL," and is from page one back in November of 2008.

   " ... and the large middle one which is opened by rotating the outer "sleeve".

I'm (curiosity killed the cat) wondering exactly how this function is performed? If the end caps are left on during an attempted rotating process, do the caps spin freely, or are they snugly secured? Or do you have to take off at least one of the caps in order to achieve the rotating process which allows the center compartment to open? I hope my question makes sense. I ask it in order to have a better understanding of "why" the center compartment was so precisely designed. It seems to me that it could just as easily have been designed to "pull apart" in the center, but that the designer had a "specific reason" for the rotation feature.  

Thanks

SBB  

That's what I want to know. Which part do you grip and which part do you twist to open/close?
You say 6-7inches inches long overall. can you be more exact?
What is the exact outside diameter?
And what is the exact measurement of the center hole length and width?
Would also need to know if the center tube has been filed sharp to make a cutting edge.

I am leaning toward more of a 3 compartment container than a cutter unless the center has a sharpened edge.

It would sure be great to solve this before the end of the year.
That would be 3 of the greatest unsolved mysteries of T-net solved this year!

FYI the pignuts were proven to be from a Korean Gonggi set.

Thanks,
GG~



*OH I just noticed it has been 6 months since "GerryL" has been on t-net  

That's what I want to know. Which part do you grip and which part do you twist to open/close?

I dont know either?

FYI the pignuts were proven to be from a Korean Gonggi set.

It was a tough fight and I pressured him but I feel it was necessary since it was solved over 3 years ago. Im glad the new evidence was enough to satisfy everyone involved. Who locked it down? Maybe a mod locked it before Piggman changed his mind and requested the new package. I think he finally tired of it.  

Reminder ... Notice in the cropped image below (from JG_from_NC's original post) that this particular message tube does not have any noticable attachments for the collar other than ... what "appears" to be two pieces of heavy wire - which "appear" to be either welded or soldered in place. Is it possible that the tube in question is simply missing these wires? I wish GerryL were around to tell us if there is any evidence of weld spots that we can't see in his original photo(s).

SBB

That's what I want to know. Which part do you grip and which part do you twist to open/close?

I dont know either?

FYI the pignuts were proven to be from a Korean Gonggi set.

It was a tough fight and I pressured him but I feel it was necessary since it was solved over 3 years ago. Im glad the new evidence was enough to satisfy everyone involved. Who locked it down? Maybe a mod locked it before Piggman changed his mind and requested the new package. I think he finally tired of it.  

I assumed Piggman locked it so as to have the last word.

I sent GerryL a PM and hopefully will hear from him soon to answer a few questions.

In the meantime ... I took a measurement from his first photo which he said was ... {quote} "This thing is about 6-7" long, the quarter is just there for size comparison."

Regarding size ...

I first measured a 25-cent piece, which is exactly 15/16" in diameter, and then I measured the one from GerryL's first photo, and it measured 12/16" (3/4"). And the tube itself in the photo measures exactly 6" long by 1 & 5/16" in diameter. So the bottom line is that GerryL's original photo is just "slightly" smaller than actual size ... which I "estimate" to be appx ...

                     6 & 1/4 inches long  x  1 & 1/2 inches in diameter.    

I'm still kickin' SBBob, thanks for the PM.  :-)  So this thread didn't die, huh?  I never made a positive ID on it.  I'd say not a pnuematic tube.  I only had the item for a few days back when I started the thread, as it belongs to a friend of my wife.  And I thought I had taken good enough photos to surely answer any questions! :-D  I'll see if I can get my hands on it again to check it out in more detail.  It may take until after the holidays though. 
Does anyone have access to a chemical analysis of some sort?  ;-)
 -Gerry

I sent GerryL a PM and hopefully will hear from him soon to answer a few questions.

 It has 3 separate compartments, a small one on each end (one is shown opened up, and the large middle one which is opened by rotating the outer "sleeve".  One of the end compartments had a yellow residue in it.  
-Gerry

I think I get it. One end cap may have to be removed to hold the inner sleeve while rotating the outer sleeve. But Im not certain. My guess the outer sleeve can come completely off. I wonder if its lubricated or greased?  Otherwise it may seize.

Im wondering why the inner sleeve is silver colored?  Is it also copper or something else?

It looks to me like it was nickel plated brass in the middle, and something rotates, look at the wear scratches in the center part..........NGE

This should be just about actual size if I did it right.........

I'm guessing that the access hole to the center chamber was designed so that it would be larger (wide open) when whatever contents it contained were put into it. And that the adjustable sleeve was designed so that when the contents were removed they could either be shaken or poured out in smaller, measurable incriments.

For example : If it was designed to contain a "powder," the open position would allow it to easily be filled. And then when opened just "slightly" the powder could be shaken out. It doesn't appear to be water tight, but it may be. It just doesn't make sense (at least not to me) that the center chamber was designed for a piece of rolled papper or anything like that such as would be used for a dispatch.

And if I am even "close" to being right ... then what form of "powder" could it possibly have contained?    

SBB  

I'm guessing that the access hole to the center chamber was designed so that it would be larger (wide open) when whatever contents it contained were put into it. And that the adjustable sleeve was designed so that when the contents were remove they could either be shaken or poured out in smaller, measurable incriments.

For example : If it was designed to contain a "powder," the open position would allow it to easily be filled. And then when opened just "slightly" the powder could be shaken out. It doesn't appear to be water tight, but it may be. It just doesn't make sense (at least not to me) that the center chamber was designed for a piece of rolled papper or anything like that such as would be used for a dispatch.

And if I am even "close" to being right ... then what form of "powder" could it possibly have contained?    

SBB  

You are thinking along the same lines as me Bob.
I agree with everything you just said.

The yellow residue found in one end chamber described by GerryL could also be a clue......or not.
Not sure whether being found in a chicken coop is a clue either

Could it be as simple as a homemade condiment holder for camping? Salt,pepper,sugar
Perhaps part of civil war mess kit? or any military for that matter even foreign.

GG~

GG ~

Ditto thinking ... Sugar in the center, and salt and pepper in the ends? And though it still looks military to me, it may very well be camping (Coleman) related. Has anyone researched the Coleman Company archives yet?  I haven't!   

SBB

Food for thought ... The Coleman Company began circa 1900-1905 and was involved in the War effort. (At least WWII as seen below). And "may" have been involved in the first war (WWI) as well.  Note:  I am not suggesting the item is a stove, but possibly something "related."   

                                                   ~ * ~

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT (1930 – 1945)

Less than twenty years later, World War II swept across the globe. Like many companies, The Coleman Company did its part to support the war effort. Allied munitions and air forces contained parts manufactured in Kansas by The Coleman Company. In June of 1942 the Army Quartermaster Corps issued an urgent request to the Coleman Company. Field troops were in dire need of a compact stove that could operate within a wide range of conditions in multiple theaters, weighed less than five pounds, could be no larger than a quart bottle of milk, and could burn any kind of fuel. And, the U.S. Army wanted 5,000 of the stoves delivered in sixty days.

Work commenced immediately to design and manufacture a stove that met the Army's strict specifications. The end product far exceeded anything that the Army had requested: the stove could work at 60 degrees below and up to 150 degrees above Fahrenheit; it could burn all kinds of fuel; it weighed a mere three and one-half pounds; and it was smaller than a quart bottle of milk. The first order for 5,000 units was flown to U.S. forces involved in Operation Torch, an allied invasion of North Africa in 1942. World War II journalist Ernie Pyle devoted 15 news articles to the Coleman® pocket stove and considered it one of the two most important pieces of noncombat equipment in the war effort, the other being the Jeep.

I agree that it may be a container for powder and the center may be for mixing the two different types of powder stored in the ends.. 

I wonder if it could be a mouse/rat trap. Or a container to hold poison. The center being adjustable for the size of vermin so nothing else could enter. Im thinking the adjustable center is important but it doesnt look like a dispenser IMO.


If thats the size, it about right for a dog.

What sort of powder would need to be stored first then mixed?
Why not just mix it first then store the mix?

Only thing I can think of would be for something that would cause a chemical reaction...... but for what purpose  
Most chemicals and even arsenic would probably react with the copper and it doesn't look corroded.
 
I doubt it's a trap. What would shut the door to trap the vermin?
If its for containing poison, then there's no need to trap anything.
And what kind of poison needs to be mixed just before using?

I'm thinking it has three different compartments for storing/dispensing three different items that are different but related somehow.

The size would be right for carrying by a dog, or to fit in a large pocket or pouch.

Please note; If adjusted properly, the "opening" in the center chamber seems as if it could be easily reduced to a small oval no larger than a grain of rice. And, of course, larger if needed. (Just more food for thought when considering "what" it might have been designed for).

SBB

Please note; If adjusted properly, the "opening" in the center chamber seems as if it could be easily reduced to a small oval no larger than a grain of rice. And, of course, larger if needed. (Just more food for thought when considering "what" it might have been designed for).

SBB

It could be designed that way for use as an adjustable opening, or just as an open or close door.
I like the idea of adjustable size opening though.  

Could it be a combination pill, snuff, box?
Get a pinch of snuff from the middle opening, pills from the ends?

That's it!......The farmer lost his homemade combination pill/snuff box in the chicken coop  
He also lost his chewing gum in the chicken yard and thought he found it............ several times.  


Pic of homemade snuff box:

What sort of powder would need to be stored first then mixed?
Why not just mix it first then store the mix?

Only thing I can think of would be for something that would cause a chemical reaction...... but for what purpose  
Most chemicals and even arsenic would probably react with the copper and it doesn't look corroded.
 
I doubt it's a trap. What would shut the door to trap the vermin?
If its for containing poison, then there's no need to trap anything.
And what kind of poison needs to be mixed just before using?

I'm thinking it has three different compartments for storing/dispensing three different items that are different but related somehow.

The size would be right for carrying by a dog, or to fit in a large pocket or pouch.

I am just throwing out wild guesses. (That is why I used the "dont know" icons). I dunno maybe like the roach hotel. They check in but dont check out lol. :    Bob explains it better.  "If adjusted properly, the "opening" in the center chamber seems as if it could be easily reduced to a small oval no larger than a grain of rice. And, of course, larger if needed. (Just more food for thought when considering "what" it might have been designed for)".


As far as the dispenser idea, I cant imagine trying to pour salt or sugar through the clumsy center opening. Keep in mind I am not arguing with anyone here, just discussing ideas.

What sort of powder would need to be stored first then mixed?
Why not just mix it first then store the mix?

I am not a chemist but Im sure there are chemicals that are designed to be mixed with a catalyst prior to using such as hand warmers or epoxies. I dont know about poisons. But like I said, just throwing out wild ideas... and I certainly dont have any solid answers.

I like the idea of adjustable size opening though.  

thanks.

I don't know if we (The Three Amigos) are making any progress on this or not. But it's definitely better than ... well, it's better than a lot of things I can think of. So I guess it's time for me to go off-topic and do my "Christmas Jig"   Lol  

SANTABOTTLEBOB



 

I head back out to the Everglades about 2 am and I have a little time for my dose of brain food.

This is a toughie. Im thinking chicken coop is a clue.  Maybe if we find out what else was out there?

Anything else out of place stored in that chicken coop? Was it found on the ground, in the corner, on a shelf, in plain view, in a cage? ...etc

Didn't mean to offend anyone, I know we are just brainstorming, please don't take my comments personally,

Sorry BCH I now realize I was raining down on your ideas.    I was only trying to hash things out, not put you down.

Any ideas, no matter how far fetched they may sound at first are giving us topics to do searches on and you never know what will turn up.
So keep em coming gang. 

GG~

I've been thinking..... (dangerous I know)
If you have to remove an end cap to be able to open the center chamber then whatever substance is in the end may fall out.

Perhaps the end caps are on so tight that the center can be opened without removing an end cap.  
Or they weren't meant to come off in the first place, leaving only the center compartment as a functional chamber.  

 When I first looked at this I thought a plumbers soldering kit. The lead solder went in the center were he would pull out a length and twist it griping the solder so it wouldn't move while holding the whole thing in his hand during the soldering of copper pipes. One end cap holding the flux and the other end held a role of emery cloth.
 This is just my thoughts on it and never seen one before. It could have been the the only one made by a plumber for his own use or they were a kit sold a a store. 

When I first looked at this I thought a plumbers soldering kit. The lead solder went in the center were he would pull out a length and twist it griping the solder so it wouldn't move while holding the whole thing in his hand during the soldering of copper pipes. One end cap holding the flux and the other end held a role of emery cloth.
 This is just my thoughts on it and never seen one before. It could have been the the only one made by a plumber for his own use or they were a kit sold a a store. 

Great Idea!
That gives me something else to do research on. 

GG~

Didn't mean to offend anyone, I know we are just brainstorming, please don't take my comments personally,

Sorry BCH I now realize I was raining down on your ideas.    I was only trying to hash things out, not put you down.

Any ideas, no matter how far fetched they may sound at first are giving us topics to do searches on and you never know what will turn up.
So keep em coming gang. 

GG~

NP If my ideas dont fit, its cool to tell me. I was just letting you know I was guessing wildly and really dont have a good handle on this one. 

Since I just saw Santa flying over I figured this was a good time to plug in this message. It goes out to each and every member here on TreasureNet.com. Thanks for all the friendship and support this past year ... even if I have been a bit of a stranger lately.

                                                From ...

                              ~  SODABOTTLEBOB & FAMILY  ~

                                                 

I'm gonna make a comment on the round/oval hole. Someone questioned why it wasn't square? A couple of reasons for that could be that one, a square hole would have corners that would be prone to crack and wouldn't form as well when rolled. Another could be that the maker took two pieces of tube, put one inside the other and bored a hole through both at the same time. That would give you a stronger tube plus the two holes would both have the same diameter.

I'm gonna make a comment on the round/oval hole. Someone questioned why it wasn't square? A couple of reasons for that could be that one, a square hole would have corners that would be prone to crack and wouldn't form as well when rolled. Another could be that the maker took two pieces of tube, put one inside the other and bored a hole through both at the same time. That would give you a stronger tube plus the two holes would both have the same diameter.

I like the way you think. However the center hole appears to be oval shaped. Hard to drill an oval hole.

When you drill or bore a hole in a tube it appears oval. flatten it out and it is round.

When you drill or bore a hole in a tube it appears oval. flatten it out and it is round.

Good point!
Conversely if the hole were drilled first in a flat sheet and then rolled into a tube the same illusion would appear as well. 

Just going to throw this out there...  What if this thing is a container meant to hold samples of seed corn?  The compartments at each end could have held simple chemicals; Sulpher was used to discourage many pests when planting corn. 

Just a thought.  Only experience I have - grew up on an old family farm and this thing looks familiar.

Oh, has anyone asked the folks here: www.farmcollector.com

-Ken

I did this somewhat primative experiment by cutting a perfect circle out of a piece of paper. And then I wrapped it around a cardboard paper towel tube. It definitely appears to be oval ... but in fact is round.

So what does this tell us?  That (as kracer55 and GoodGuy both pointed out) it was bored/drilled first and then put together.

Okey dokey, then ... so what does this tell us?  Personally, I'm still lost in the 50s without a clue?  Lol  

SBB

                         ... it appears to be copper, soldered.

                This question is for GerryL regarding his quote above.

Gerry ~

Has it ever been determined for certain whether the item is copper or brass? Or possibly copper plated tin? I know when I do certain searches it makes a great deal of difference on how I word it ... For example:  ( Round "Copper" Container ) and  (Round "Brass" Container ) will pull up entirely different results.

All I can tell you at this point is that a magnet will not stick to either copper or brass ... but it will to tin/metal.

If we can determine for certain what it is made of, it "might" just take us one step closer to a positive identification.

Thanks a lot,

Bob  

"Okey dokey, then ... so what does this tell us?"
Probably nothing but some have the idea that the oval holes are an indication they were meant to be used as a cutter but they could just be an openings that line up very good.

kracer55 ~

Thanks. I wasn't being fastidious. I was honestly wondering where that line of inquiry was heading. And now I know.

And just to show everyone that I am a truly good sport, I am going to share my favorite and "secret" website that I use for researching items more than any other. It  contains more than "60 MILLION" images! It is the best site I know of for finding those hard (if not impossible) to find items. The site still continues to amaze me every time I tap into it. Some of you may already be familiar with it. But just as many of you are likely not aware of it. I have been using it for years and have only just barely scracted the tip of its iceberg.

The site may require you to sign in. But otherwise it's free and fairly easy. Most of the search results will be found by clicking on the "sold" category. Enter any word combinations you feel pertain to the item you are looking for and you will be amazed by the results that come up. By signing in you will also be able to see what the item(s) sold for and when, plus specific description information about it.

You won't believe the number of word combinations I have tried for the item in question, and I am still coming up with new word entries every day. Unfortunately, even with the millions of possible results, I have yet to find our tube thingy, and am beginning to think it may not be included in the sites archives ... but then again maybe it is and I have just failed to word it properly.

In any event, try it out. I'm certain you will like it. And unlike e-bay that doesn't maintain an archives (but could and should in my opinion) this one goes back to 2003. It covers items not only from the United States, but from all over the world.

If you have any questions about it please feel free to ask. I haven't exactly mastered it, but I click around on it pretty good.

I hope it helps identify our chicken coop item. But even if it doesn't it may very well assist in other "What Is It" identifications.

Safe Link :  http://www.liveauctioneers.com/about.html

Enjoy!

Bob

P.S.  Be sure to click on the "SOLD" panel that comes up after your initial search. Otherwise you will just get the current stuff and not the archives. Example: I just entered ... Civil War ... and it produced 34,210 results. It would take a week to look at all of them!

    

Hi Gerry..been reading on this site for a few months (great site) thought I would put in my two cents worth. When I saw your copper tube I thought it was a level. I've seen similar tubes with similar cut outs there is a bent glass tube that is inside with markings for the bubble (yours is missing) covering up the hole by rotating was done to protect the glass. If you go to the site Sodabottlebob suggested
and type in spirit level or starrett level you will see similar tubes. I'm only quessing but the two removeable caps are for protection of the ends, that when in use are mounted. I have found these in different forms with corks in each end mounted on old research equipment.

Hi Gerry..been reading on this site for a few months (great site) thought I would put in my two cents worth. When I saw your copper tube I thought it was a level. I've seen similar tubes with similar cut outs there is a bent glass tube that is inside with markings for the bubble (yours is missing) covering up the hole by rotating was done to protect the glass. If you go to the site Sodabottlebob suggested
and type in spirit level or starrett level you will see similar tubes. I'm only quessing but the two removeable caps are for protection of the ends, that when in use are mounted. I have found these in different forms with corks in each end mounted on old research equipment.

Welcome to TreasureNet - and one of my favourite/favorite mystery items
I tried the searches you suggested on SodaBob's link - but 0 result 
Can you direct us to any other examples?
Cheers, Mike

I found this in the sold archives under "Starrett level." Thanks Harms_Way.

SBB

Wow  

I found this in the sold archives under "Starrett level." Thanks Harms_Way.

SBB

That has a lot of similarities
But I suspect this is off track 
Mike

harms_way ~

By the "way" ... Welcome to the forum. And thanks again for the suggestion regarding the Starrett Levels.

After concluding an extensive search (at least four hours) on the Starrett types of cylinder levels, I discovered that all of them are highly precision instruments with very intricate and detailed design. I suppose the one in question could be that of an earlier and more primative type, and something other than what I was able to find. But if this is the case then it totally escaped me while searching numerous internet websites. I did discover that the Starrett Tool Company goes back to at least the early 1920s, and possibly even earlier than that. And I believe they are still in operation today.

Perhaps a closer inspection by GerryL of the interior of the cylinder would reveal more clues as to whether or not there was ever anything attached there and, as you suggested, "is missing."

You may very well be onto something, but if so it presently eludes me. I will continue my search and let you know if I find anything more substantial.

Thanks again,

SBB  

Thanks sodabottlebob
 I've spent several hours looking as well. I don't believe its a "starrett level". Was just trying to show a tubular style of spirit level. These type of levels have been used for all sorts of equipment and tools.I'm familiar with the machinist level on which the tube is mounted to a base with adjusting screws for accuracy.The oval cut out is the same and the inner rotating sleeve acting as a shield is the same.It also has capped ends on the tube ends, but has a mount attached to these for the base to attach. Those were things were what pointed me to the idea that it is a level.If it isn't a level,  I will have learned something new,thanks.

42

I've got the answer for the tube with three compartments, it's a plumber's container for holding rosin, grease, and flour.  One of my friends found it in a book entitled "Encyclopedia of Antique Tools and Machinery" by C.H. Wendel (page 171), the three substances were all necessary for the soldering process of assembling the joints of lead pipe. A similar grease and rosin box can be seen on this page:

http://chestofbooks.com/home-improv...cal/The-Plumber-s-Tools-Part-2.html

The web site states "When rosin, grease, etc., are not kept in some such receptacle they become scattered among the tools, and are not only hard to find when needed, but adhere to the tools and get them into dirty condition."

The tool book said they were made in three different sizes.

Someone here had sent me a link to this thread, I posted the item on my web site a few months ago but didn't get an answer until today.  My "What is it?"  web site can be seen here:

http://55tools.blogspot.com/

And my post with the rosin box is on this page:

http://55tools.blogspot.com/2010/12/set-369.html

Awesome ID Chainbreaker 

Green check 

[Chainbreaker]

I've got the answer for the tube with three compartments, it's a plumber's container for holding rosin, grease, and flour.  One of my friends found it in a book entitled "Encyclopedia of Antique Tools and Machinery" by C.H. Wendel (page 171), the three substances were all necessary for the soldering process of assembling the joints of lead pipe. A similar grease and rosin box can be seen on this page:

http://chestofbooks.com/home-improv...cal/The-Plumber-s-Tools-Part-2.html

OMG banner ID!!!    

Great work Chainbreaker!!    Thanks for working on old unsolved threads.



GREEN CHECK !!  

Chainbreaker

Great Id  
......Just when I was beginning to think this one had flown the coop.  

I sent you the link Mon, Dec 20, 2010 10:15 AM but never heard back so I thought it was dead. Thanks Chainbreaker

Rodgerdodger thought plumbers kit, Dec 22, 2010
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index....c,198092.msg2643367.html#msg2643367

Rodger you have been vindicated  

When I first looked at this I thought a plumbers soldering kit. The lead solder went in the center were he would pull out a length and twist it griping the solder so it wouldn't move while holding the whole thing in his hand during the soldering of copper pipes. One end cap holding the flux and the other end held a role of emery cloth.
 This is just my thoughts on it and never seen one before. It could have been the the only one made by a plumber for his own use or they were a kit sold a a store.  

Congratulations "Chainbreaker" Solid Identification!  And for those just seeing this for the first time, it was started by member GerryL on November 1, 2008. An honorable mention should also go to member rogerdodger above. He "guessed" right but unfortunately could not prove it with a photo or other information.

And howdy to everyone else. I'm still kicking, but spend most of my internet time on Antique-Bottles.net. Check us out sometime. Most of my post/threads are in the soda bottle section ... Link: http://www.antique-bottles.net/forum/default.asp
    
Take care,

Bob ... a.k.a.  "SODABOTTLEBOB" and "SODAPOPBOB" on A-B.net

When I first looked at this I thought a plumbers soldering kit. The lead solder went in the center were he would pull out a length and twist it griping the solder so it wouldn't move while holding the whole thing in his hand during the soldering of copper pipes. One end cap holding the flux and the other end held a role of emery cloth.
 This is just my thoughts on it and never seen one before. It could have been the the only one made by a plumber for his own use or they were a kit sold a a store.  

Yes Rodgerdodger deserves some credit for suggesting plumbers soldering kit but its not for holding solder or emery cloth.  Its for holding plumbers grease, rosin and flour. I believe the flour mix was used to keep solder from sticking.

I wrongly dismissed the plumbers kit idea myself because I just couldnt imagine this dispensing solder.  Chainbreaker solved it.

welcome Chainbreaker,good solve,thought it would run into 2012, lol
here is another one 1.75$, sorry its a buck,and i have the wrong name of it on the jpg
http://tinyurl.com/475gogk

Has anyone come up with a date yet for when the item was made/marketed? I looked into it a little but came up empty-handed (as usual).  Lol  

SBB

Oops ...

I just went pack and found this in answer to my own question. Maybe I'm not as dumb as I thought I was.

SBB

Title Standard Practical Plumbing
Author R. M. Starbuck
Publisher The Norman W. Henley Publishing Company
Year 1910
Copyright 1910, The Norman W. Henley Publishing Company
Amazon Standard practical plumbing

Glad that I could help!  I don't know much about the relics that are usually posted here, but if anyone finds an unusual tool that's hard to identify feel free to send me some photos, I'd be happy to take a look at them.

http://55tools.blogspot.com/

I haven't even begun my own search yet, but it might be fun to keep this thread going a little longer and see how many (if any) real-life pictures we can find of the item. Now that we know what it is, I bet there are pictures of it somewhere. What say y'all?

SBB

SBB, i think your 1910 date is close this, Plumbers, gas and steam fitters journal,Volumes 16-17
was published in jan 1911,it says on the cover,and the tool was sold by, starbucks & sons
hartford conn. another jpg with the correct name of tool
http://tinyurl.com/6bw6m69

Fantastic ID chainbreaker   

I wonder how many other examples are lying around in old tool boxes?

Cheers, Mike

OMG, you solved it a few months ago.  I haven't checked in since late winter.  That's amazing!  Awesome solving; it sure looks like the item I had my hands on.  I will forward this info to the owner.  I had lost hope; it was unusual and a tough one to solve.  Thanks very much!
And thanks to BCH for PMing me to let me know!
   

I've got the answer for the tube with three compartments, it's a plumber's container for holding rosin, grease, and flour.  One of my friends found it in a book entitled "Encyclopedia of Antique Tools and Machinery" by C.H. Wendel (page 171), the three substances were all necessary for the soldering process of assembling the joints of lead pipe. A similar grease and rosin box can be seen on this page:

http://chestofbooks.com/home-improv...cal/The-Plumber-s-Tools-Part-2.html

The web site states "When rosin, grease, etc., are not kept in some such receptacle they become scattered among the tools, and are not only hard to find when needed, but adhere to the tools and get them into dirty condition."

The tool book said they were made in three different sizes.

Someone here had sent me a link to this thread, I posted the item on my web site a few months ago but didn't get an answer until today.  My "What is it?"  web site can be seen here:

http://55tools.blogspot.com/

And my post with the rosin box is on this page:

http://55tools.blogspot.com/2010/12/set-369.html

OMG, you solved it a few months ago.  I haven't checked in since late winter.  That's amazing!  Awesome solving; it sure looks like the item I had my hands on.  I will forward this info to the owner.  I had lost hope; it was unusual and a tough one to solve.  Thanks very much!
And thanks to BCH for PMing me to let me know!
    


[

Chainbreaker solved one of the top 10 all time best mystery items of TN.  Dont forget the green check. (solved)

Glad that I could help!  I don't know much about the relics that are usually posted here, but if anyone finds an unusual tool that's hard to identify feel free to send me some photos, I'd be happy to take a look at them.

http://55tools.blogspot.com/

Cool website chainbreaker.

230 responses, and I am totally conviced that the IQ level in the metal detecting community has been stolen by aliens.  99% of the responses (including mine) have been total idiocy.  And that is being generous.  Perhaps it is because many of us have not been exposed to dangerous radio frequencies for almost a week and our brains have degenerated.  Nevertheless, I have hurt my sides laughing while loosing 23 minutes of my life reading this stuff.  MORE !!

Where is the guy with the old Mongomery Wards catalogue.  I'll bet it is in there, offered at 12 cents each. 

230 responses, and I am totally conviced that the IQ level in the metal detecting community has been stolen by aliens.  99% of the responses (including mine) have been total idiocy.  And that is being generous.  

I realize you are new here in the "What Is It forum" High Plains Digger and you may be surprised that we do a pretty good job here.   I realize you are just trying to be funny but I am taken back by some of your off the wall comments this past week or so..  This forum is known as one of the best all round identification forums on the net with many sharp members and it appears that you are lowering the bar and/or trying to make a big joke out of it. Humor is great but try to get seroius occasionally please because we take the identification process here very seriously.

oops.  I should have put in lots of lol's. 

oops.  I should have put in lots of lol's.  

The word idiot, stupid and dumb used to be deleted. We are not supposed to be using  those words. I dont think it applies to members comments anyway. Thats how the identification process works.

Nobodys comments are stupid or dumb (including yours). One idea leads to the next. Thats how the process works. Have fun yes its just a hobby yes but no need to belittle someones IQ or comments.

We got the correct ID in the end and thats whats important.  

BTW Im not a moderator just a member like yourself but many of us have worked very hard over the years to make this forum the BEST all round site to identify something unknown.  The TN "What Is It" forums reputation speaks for itself the world over and it all gets saved in the archives for future researchers reference.

[[/quote]Chainbreaker solved one of the top 10 all time best mystery items of TN.  Dont forget the green check. (solved)
[/quote]


What are some of the other top 10 mystery items?  I would appreciate it if anyone could post links to some of the biggest mysteries on this forum, I'm sure some of the other new people here would also enjoy seeing them. 

What are some of the other top 10 mystery items?  I would appreciate it if anyone could post links to some of the biggest mysteries on this forum, I'm sure some of the other new people here would also enjoy seeing them.  

The two greatest "What is it's" of all time:  

Folks were going crazy trying to figure out what these things were.

Mystery counter wheel http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,58818.0.html
Pig nuts http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,91892.0.html
 
Took several years and thousands of guesses but through diligent and systematic research and working from the wild guess clues they were finally solved  

bigcypresshunter:  I am truly sorry that I offened you.  My comments were not pointed or addressed to anything, let alone anyone, and certainly were not directed to the process.  I give you my word that I will not use the S, D, or I words again, even in total jest.  And I do believe in the process and have watched it work well.  So, I beg your forgiveness with my promise only to show the total respect due for what has been done and is being done by the "what is it" group.

[we get results]

bigcypresshunter:  I am truly sorry that I offened you.  My comments were not pointed or addressed to anything, let alone anyone, and certainly were not directed to the process.  I give you my word that I will not use the S, D, or I words again, even in total jest.  And I do believe in the process and have watched it work well.  So, I beg your forgiveness with my promise only to show the total respect due for what has been done and is being done by the "what is it" group.

NP maybe I overreacted. Sorry. I didnt think any of the guesses were the stupid or that metal detectorists had a low IQ.  I realize you were joking and you didnt single out any particular member. The week long joking kinda got old I guess.

Wild guesses are OK. Sometime we get over emotional and arguments do occasionally occur but the bottom line is we get results.  Dont worry High Plains Digger.  Humor is OK too but dont put down the forum even in a joke.    There are some highly educated bright people here, even though they are metal detectorists.

Thank you, bigcypresshunter.  And actually, I know that metal detectorists are brilliant, that is why I aspire to be one, find old coppers and hundreds of rings like some of these guys do.  And I know that many of the people out there have written books on their particular subjects.  I am humbled to be in the information chain that they provide.

What are some of the other top 10 mystery items?  I would appreciate it if anyone could post links to some of the biggest mysteries on this forum, I'm sure some of the other new people here would also enjoy seeing them. 
[/quote] The Brass Acorn was a good one .

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,37090.0.html

What are some of the other top 10 mystery items?  I would appreciate it if anyone could post links to some of the biggest mysteries on this forum, I'm sure some of the other new people here would also enjoy seeing them.  

The two greatest "What is it's" of all time:  

Folks were going crazy trying to figure out what these things were.

Mystery counter wheel http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,58818.0.html
Pig nuts http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,91892.0.html
 
Took several years and thousands of guesses but through diligent and systematic research and working from the wild guess clues they were finally solved  

Thanks for the links, someone had sent the counter to me a couple years ago, glad to see that it's been solved.

What are some of the other top 10 mystery items?  I would appreciate it if anyone could post links to some of the biggest mysteries on this forum, I'm sure some of the other new people here would also enjoy seeing them. 

The Brass Acorn was a good one .

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,37090.0.html

[/quote]


Thanks, hadn't seen one of those before.  Are there any big mysteries here that haven't been solved yet?

go to the topic Anybody been magnet fishing?. I think your object is on there.  OhioDeb

go to the topic Anybody been magnet fishing?. I think your object is on there.  OhioDeb

Really? Can you be more specific?  Are you referring to "Anyone try magnet fishing before???"  Is it in the video?
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,344491.0.html

Did you know this plumbers rosin box is copper?

  Are there any big mysteries here that haven't been solved yet?

If I think of any, we could send them to you.  


This is a mystery because itrs been found by several different members. http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,381667.0.html

[Farley coins]

The Farley coins were one of my all time favorites because several books were written about this coin found in many different states believed to be ancient Phoenician.  The research involved revealed an entire drama; with college professors, articles, books, a network of contributors, and a budding attempt to prove the "Carthaginians discovered America". We had some great mysteries in the past. I believe its still a mystery who made these coins and why?  
         http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,268145.0.html

[Farley coins]

The Farley coins were one of my all time favorites because several books were written about this coin found in many different states believed to be ancient Phoenician.  The research involved revealed an entire drama; with college professors, articles, books, a network of contributors, and a budding attempt to prove the "Carthaginians discovered America". We had some great mysteries in the past. I believe its still a mystery who made these coins and why?  
         http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,268145.0.html

Bigcypresshunter , Wow , I forgot all about that one 

I have been away for a while. Glad to see this one solved.
We learn something new everyday.
Great work all.