Test your skills on this one! Spent years trying to ID this.

  One poster used the word "sprocket" in reguards to a piece of machinery, however dismisses the idea as there are/is no way to attach other gearing. I think he may have hit the nail on the head only this may be just an "idler" sprocket. I suggest that you measure the distance accurately from the top of one tooth to the next, see if that measurement match any standard chain, or possibly the chain on something such as a grandfather clock.
 A definitely possibility.
 Rick (Nova Scotia)
   Logically , because the teeth are shaped exactly like a sprocket and yet there is no place or method of attachment a of a gear to the back side, it is very likely an idler sprocket,(addmittedly that would not explain the reason to number each tooth, however the old timers did do unessary things, such as that.

  One poster used the word "sprocket" in reguards to a piece of machinery, however dismisses the idea as there are/is no way to attach other gearing. I think he may have hit the nail on the head only this may be just an "idler" sprocket. I suggest that you measure the distance accurately from the top of one tooth to the next, see if that measurement match any standard chain, or possibly the chain on something such as a grandfather clock.
 A definitely possibility.
 Rick (Nova Scotia)
   Logically , because the teeth are shaped exactly like a sprocket and yet there is no place or method of attachment a of a gear to the back side, it is very likely an idler sprocket,(addmittedly that would not explain the reason to number each tooth, however the old timers did do unessary things, such as that.

Good observation. I agree it is not a standard gear per say but could attach to a chain or a cheap plastic paddlewheel type of "gear" that I have seen on old fridges. Could also attach to film perforations. The purpose of the teeth may also be only to facilitate turning  with a finger. Dont forget it also has a stop and can only make one revolution.

" Could also attach to film perforations. The purpose of the teeth may also be only to facilitate turning  with a finger. "
 After reconsidderation it no doubt belongs to a clock, as you pointed out it only goes around once. I don't however believe the trrth are to facilitate your fingers as it seems to connect to anything. That is why I strongly believe it is a "idler gear" for what exact mechanism I di not know.

 PS 30 years in a machine chop, I have seen a lot of "gear". The refridgerator that someone suggested is certainly plausable.

Rick

I think it is a DOOHICKEY, MIGHT BE A THINGYMABOB, BUT DEFINATELY NOT A WHATCHAMACALLIT.

" Could also attach to film perforations. The purpose of the teeth may also be only to facilitate turning  with a finger. "
 After reconsidderation it no doubt belongs to a clock, as you pointed out it only goes around once. I don't however believe the trrth are to facilitate your fingers as it seems to connect to anything. That is why I strongly believe it is a "idler gear" for what exact mechanism I di not know.

 PS 30 years in a machine chop, I have seen a lot of "gear". The refridgerator that someone suggested is certainly plausable.

Rick

You may have solved the mystery of how it connects to something.  (by chain) It does appear to be a sprocket and not a gear and a 15 tooth sprocket is common. Look closely there does appear to be some wear marks but this unkown is very lightweight and flimsy.

What part of a clock uses a chain that doesnt revolve more than one revolution?

how the dial is activated?
i think in this picture it is oriented correctly to read it at the pointer to the left 9 o'clock. picture 1.
directly across at 3 o'clock the teeth engage whatever makes this dial move or set. to engage, teeth on another cog would be turned up. the height of the piece of metal turned down under where the two mesh, at 3 o'clock, allows for this meshing? picture 2.
i believe a dial to the right, engaging this dial, would be turned to the right in circular fashion (knob) to make the numbers of this dial turn correctly.

how it mounts to what?
i'm guessing the two straight pieces on the back next to the pointer, at 7 & 11 o'clock, help it sit on a flat attachment point. the pointer and under it would be on one side of where it attaches and the two straight pieces on the other side. on the other side at 1 & 5 o'clock the two curved pieces could be fastening a round gauge wire securing the entire mechanism against the attachment point along left side. may be in tension or securely.

how is this dial attached to what it is set to do?
the turned up piece at 15 is squared. a tightly wrapped coil of wire on an arm reaching across to the right-say 4 o'clock with 360 swivel, or 2 in the midst, would get the arm up over the center of the dial and out of the way where the dial is engaged for setting selection. thus activating whatever purpose the dial has in circular movement.

what dial is set to max. then reverses?
a toaster-things with timers. i have searched toasters without any supporting evidence   
this thing is quit big and whatever engages it to set is equally as big.
the metal reminds me of late 40's to late 50's maybe early 60's.

none of this is correct until supported. 

i doubted this 'dial thing' would get the best of me while reading through the post. well, it appears to have set my fingers in motion. hope i haven't rambled on too much.

be gentle if you disagree. just thinking i might cog, i mean, jog another's idea. that's what it is all about?  right?

mike

talk about being a newbie! 
1.looks like i didn't get picture 2 on right. so here it is among the clutter.

2.it's amazing how much this post has been cast around in so many great minds. i read and read comments on this post thinking there was only one page.    geez if i'd only known-what i wrote is likly a repeat. but you can't count it because i missed pages 1,2,3,4,5,6, & 7. now i'll have to go back and read them. talk about being out of date!

is there a newbie face to select from or is   DUH !!! sufficient?

mike

talk about being a newbie! 
1.looks like i didn't get picture 2 on right. so here it is among the clutter.

If you make a mistake with the wrong pic you can click on modify to change it.


Goodyguy, what caused these marks?  Even though it appears to be a sprocket, I dont see how a chain could fit under this tab. Im leaning toward a gas refrigerator control, but I dont know how it would connect.

talk about being a newbie! 
1.looks like i didn't get picture 2 on right. so here it is among the clutter.

If you make a mistake with the wrong pic you can click on modify to change it.


Goodyguy, what caused these marks?  Even though it appears to be a sprocket, I dont see how a chain could fit under this tab. Im leaning toward a gas refrigerator control, but I dont know how it would connect.

Those marks were caused from the points of the wheel dragging against the backing during manually rotating the wheel. The wheel is a little wobbly and there is very little clearance between it and the backing plate so the teeth rub it when rotated.

Goodyguy, what caused these marks?  Even though it appears to be a sprocket, I dont see how a chain could fit under this tab. Im leaning toward a gas refrigerator control, but I dont know how it would connect.

Those marks were caused from the points of the wheel dragging against the backing during manually rotating the wheel. The wheel is a little wobbly and there is very little clearance between it and the backing plate so the teeth rub it when rotated.

If its that wobbly and close to the bottom surface, I dont see how it would connect to another gear. I wonder if those marks were made while the item in question was in use or happened later? This thing is a real mystery. I dont see how it could control anything.

Thinking on the counter theory, does it have stops at each number or does it spin kinda freely?  If it spins, I cant see it much use as a counter, it wouldnt stay on the number. What a cheap piece of crap. 

Thats why I think it must have been spring loaded...making the numbers go back after each turn

Goodyguy, what caused these marks?  Even though it appears to be a sprocket, I dont see how a chain could fit under this tab. Im leaning toward a gas refrigerator control, but I dont know how it would connect.

Those marks were caused from the points of the wheel dragging against the backing during manually rotating the wheel. The wheel is a little wobbly and there is very little clearance between it and the backing plate so the teeth rub it when rotated.

If its that wobbly and close to the bottom surface, I dont see how it would connect to another gear. I wonder if those marks were made while the item in question was in use or happened later? This thing is a real mystery. I dont see how it could control anything.

Thinking on the counter theory, does it have stops at each number or does it spin kinda freely?  If it spins, I cant see it much use as a counter, it wouldnt stay on the number. What a cheap piece of crap. 

You are absolutely right about the quality.
It turns with very little friction (just from the play at the rivet that holds the wheel on) and there are no detents to help stop the wheel exactly on a number either.

To end this talk about a cold control, do you see any way that that rivet could have attached to or broken off from a shaft?

If it cannot attach to a shaft and is too flimsy and close to the surface to connect to another gear or chain then it cannot be from a fridge. If it wont stay on the number, I dont think it could be a counter. What is it?

Maybe it stayed on the number when the rivet was tighter.  

Thats why I think it must have been spring loaded...making the numbers go back after each turn

I dont see how a spring could attach or how that would help stay on the number, Michelle. What would be the purpose of making the numbers go back after each turn?    Are you thinking like an old dial telephone?

break out a fishing line --cuz de fish are there.

To end this talk about a cold control, do you see any way that that rivet could have attached to or broken off from a shaft?

If it cannot attach to a shaft and is too flimsy and close to the surface to connect to another gear or chain then it cannot be from a fridge. If it wont stay on the number, I dont think it could be a counter. What is it?

Maybe it stayed on the number when the rivet was tighter.  

Does not appear to have had a shaft as you can see by the close up picture of the bottom of the rivet.

I took it to a heating and air conditioning shop shortly after I took possession and no one there had any idea what it was. I will take it to a refrigeration company next and get a second opinion because there were so many suggestions about it perhaps being a thermostat control.

Speed control for a vibrating bed. siegfried schlagrule

Speed control for a vibrating bed. siegfried schlagrule

Good guess, but we cannot see how it could be a control for anything because there is no way to connect to anything. It definitely cannot connect to an electrical control shaft. It is only a rivet in the center.

I have just discovered "post rage".

How do I ignore this one stupid endless topic? 

Someone, please come kill me. 

Is the only way to remove all my own posts to make the insanity stop? 

Im just tagging along hoping someone will recognize it because Im out of ideas. If you remove your posts, you will not be notified when it is finally solved.

coin counter for childs toy

It may be a childs toy with two counters and the first one to reach 15 is the winner! 

It's a volume control for a guitar amplifier except this attains the level of "5 louder", or 15   

Thats why I think it must have been spring loaded...making the numbers go back after each turn

I dont see how a spring could attach or how that would help stay on the number, Michelle. What would be the purpose of making the numbers go back after each turn?    Are you thinking like an old dial telephone?

Cy, I was thinking it was spring loaded to NOT go back but to turn another sprocket/cog/wheel that did SOMETHING....sort of like a parking meter...insert coin turn with finger and number pops up for minutes???   


Got it...DUMMY KNOB!!!!    WHEEEEEEEEEW...Sorry alot of pressure here! 

I have just discovered "post rage".

How do I ignore this one stupid endless topic? 

Someone, please come kill me. 

Is the only way to remove all my own posts to make the insanity stop? 

    


WHERE HAVE I SEEN THIS THING BEFORE??WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

penny or dime vending machine dial.....hmmmm  40's or 50's 

Thats why I think it must have been spring loaded...making the numbers go back after each turn

I dont see how a spring could attach or how that would help stay on the number, Michelle. What would be the purpose of making the numbers go back after each turn?    Are you thinking like an old dial telephone?

Cy, I was thinking it was spring loaded to NOT go back but to turn another sprocket/cog/wheel that did SOMETHING....sort of like a parking meter...insert coin turn with finger and number pops up for minutes???   


Got it...DUMMY KNOB!!!!    WHEEEEEEEEEW...Sorry alot of pressure here! 

Ah OK good idea but I just think this thing is too cheap and flimsy to have turned another gear. As someone stated, its not even a gear, its a sprocket, with no room for a chain.

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...org.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

Im leaning toward a simple incubator counter with no electrical connection.

Im leaning toward a simple incubator counter with no electrical connection.

What he said...

As I haven’t read most of the posts…Just throwing out some observations… Apologies if they have already been mentioned…

As noted…it is a piece of crap…and not built to survive any serious, continuous use…. Due to it’s construction and seemingly inability to be anchored securely to be "driven"…I’d lean more toward a manual operation…I doubt this thing was turning much…probably a more set and forget use…

The numbers and their position on the dial are conflicting…Say that it  would be covered by another part that contained a viewing window…if so…the number 15 would never be seen due to its relation to the other numbers…hence it would only be  meant to "read" to 14…leaving explanation for the 15 to represent "the end"…

If the entire part is meant to be totally exposed…Then visual appeal isn’t a factor and probably more of an industrial use….

As to what it does… It  appears there are only two ways to activate motion…one would be from the notched out area….whether manually or by some other "cog" passing through the notched area…The other would be if something attached onto the raised tab to turn it….

That given.... the raised tab would need to serve a dual role as  a piece to activate something or a piece to turn the devise....and...to serve as a stop for wheel...the chances of it's purpose to do both in either case seems unlikely...

The device appears to be incapable of  doing much of anything besides being a simple type of manual counter….   

The device appears to be incapable of  doing much of anything besides being a simple type of manual counter….  

yep.

The numbers and their position on the dial are conflicting…Say that it  would be covered by another part that contained a viewing window…if so…the number 15 would never be seen due to its relation to the other numbers…hence it would only be  meant to "read" to 14…leaving explanation for the 15 to represent "the end"…

Exactly.  After 14= game over or no need to count any more. Besides egg incubator day counter, other good ideas were camera film frame counter and pool ball counter.

There may be something to the counter idea after all.  There are many children's games and other table games that use a manual counter to record points.  Think of a Foosball table with the simple plastic counter at each goal, and miniature pool tables or horse shoe type games, such as ring toss or bean bag toss that may have come with a similar counter.  Racket games could be ruled out but I think, but what about the counter that HO race tracks used that would count the lap once the vehicle went over the start line. 

This is a disease that is starting to devour my brain.

VATUG

   so it IS an egg turner....Manual one??

Thank you, thank you, It took me three posts but call this one solved!!!  I know I've had one in my hand when I was a kid and turning all those eggs every day.  I just couldn't recall....rabbit...chick...chicks...rabbit....def initely  chicks

Hold the congratulations. You are not the first person to suggest about the chickens and you are not the first person to say they remember having one. Members have sworn its a chick counter, clock gear, camera part, refrigerator control, TV tuner, and part of the enigma code breaker!!

Im sorry but you need to produce a picture.

Goody have you tried offering a reward?

All joking aside, texastea, the chick timer theory has already been presented but I dont want to go back and search for it.  It has even been suggested to see if it clamps to a chicken wire fence.  Its only a theory until someone can produce a picture. I do however feel that it may be worthwhile to search further in this direction.

I hope you can solve it, I really do.

Thank you, thank you, It took me three posts but call this one solved!!!  I know I've had one in my hand when I was a kid and turning all those eggs every day.  I just couldn't recall....rabbit...chick...chicks...rabbit....def initely  chicks

Hold the congratulations. You are not the first person to suggest about the chickens and you are not the first person to say they remember having one. Members have sworn its a chick counter, camera part, refrigerator control, TV tuner, and part of the enigma code breaker!!

Im sorry but you need to produce a picture.

          Cy  

I think we all just took the da&M thing for granted...I've looked high and low for one.  I'm waiting for the old gentleman that works at the feedstore to get better so I can see if he has one in his collections of everything from A-Z and would like to put this one to rest....I couldn't find the one for someone calling it a incubator egg gestation counter....must have missed it...my eyes hurt...   now I know why people call this thing cursed.

What if you forget to turn the thing one day...or two? My chicken aint gonna hatch yet! Im not sure the peeps are gonna be happy...but this makes no sense now!

I got it, its a piece of metal that is unidentified...

Thank you, thank you, It took me three posts but call this one solved!!!  I know I've had one in my hand when I was a kid and turning all those eggs every day.  I just couldn't recall....rabbit...chick...chicks...rabbit....def initely  chicks

Hold the congratulations. You are not the first person to suggest about the chickens and you are not the first person to say they remember having one. Members have sworn its a chick counter, camera part, refrigerator control, TV tuner, and part of the enigma code breaker!!

Im sorry but you need to produce a picture.

 

I got it, its a piece of metal that is unidentified...

GREAT WE ALL WIN THIS ONE 

....I couldn't find the one for someone calling it a incubator egg gestation counter....must have missed it...my eyes hurt...   now I know why people call this thing cursed.

We need a search option on this thing but here is one mention of it, I dont know if its the first and I remember it was talked about in more detail but Im tired of looking. ... keep researching.  


Reply To This Topic #396 Posted Jan 26, 2008, 09:36:58 AM  Quote  
Instead of rats, and since some of us are on the animal cage thing, what's the timeframe for chickens, eggs, etc for incubation. I wonder if it could be that route if we're going with farm type stuff............

http://www.microspace.se/flightware_clip_image012.jpg



there it is!!!!!

look bottom right 

look bottom right  [ ERROR: SPECIFIED ATTACHMENT MISSING ]

 


    okay im looking

What if you forget to turn the thing one day...or two? My chicken aint gonna hatch yet! Im not sure the peeps are gonna be happy...but this makes no sense now!

Why you have to ruin it?  I guess marking 15 days on a calender would be easier.

This thing is starting to get to me and I want it to be over with as soon as possible. I don't know why it maters so much to me or anyone else what the stupid thing is to/for anyway. But since it has gone on so long I just cant give up.
So I am going to try harder than ever to get this thing solved once and for all so I can get back to a normal life. 

I'm not sure how this will work out but I have sent pictures of the mystery wheel to several so called experts in the field of identifying what is it's. And see if they have any ideas or clues to it's purpose.

I have also spent hours doing searches on any lead or suggestion gathered from everyones posts, with no luck so far. but I am getting good research practice.

15 day counter --could be used for rats -- rabbits -- chicken eggs --or any other 15 day count type animal breeder type use where you would attach it to a cage . think that covers a lot of ground at all at once.

it was made (rather flimsy I might add) of cheap,  light aluminum -- given today's cheaper modern plastics --it might not have been made for quite some time or it might be made of plastic these days .

Im leaning toward part of the enigma machine code breaker.

Anyone mention or have any thoughts on the raised ribbing in the metal on the back?

Is it just to strengthen the piece?....The design and angling of the ribs seems to suggest something more....

Anyone mention or have any thoughts on the raised ribbing in the metal on the back?

Is it just to strengthen the piece?....The design and angling of the ribs seems to suggest something more....

Also it having been FOUND in Alaska ...would it have been found or be something we would find here too?

Anyone mention or have any thoughts on the raised ribbing in the metal on the back?

Is it just to strengthen the piece?....The design and angling of the ribs seems to suggest something more....

Yes I mentioned it. It suggested to me that the ribs would hold the wheel rivet enough off of a flat surface so as to turn freely. It suggests to me that it attached to a flat surface.

OMG not this thing again  why dont we just bring back the pig nuts to lol

OMG not this thing again  why dont we just bring back the pig nuts to lol

relax....

Did you say Pig Nuts???    

OMG not this thing again  why dont we just bring back the pig nuts to lol

relax....

Did you say Pig Nuts???    

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,91892.1200.html

Please dont hate me guys and gals 

Has anyone ever sent a pic of this  &%$#(*&_$## thang to Alaska?

It looks like a old timey shoe sizer used in shoe stores to determine shoe size. It's just the counter without the rest of the mechanism. Sizes 1-15. Well that's my best guess.

I showed the pic to several people, and an engineer looked at it and thought that because it is so simple and doesn't look like it was made for extended use, that maybe it is part of a centrifugal fuse in an artillery shell.  It could be manually set before use to detonate at a pre determined altitude, and of course,  it would only be used once.

I told him I would pass it on.

I think that by showing it to folks who repair appliances or recycle things we might get lucky and finally put this to rest.

Good Luck!

Did I see right? Is there 2 of this things now? is the one on post #711 the same one as post #712

that maybe it is part of a centrifugal fuse in an artillery shell.  It could be manually set before use to detonate at a pre determined altitude, and of course,  it would only be used once.

This could explain why there are no more 

I'm not sure how this will work out but I have sent pictures of the mystery wheel to several so called experts in the field of identifying what is it's. And see if they have any ideas or clues to it's purpose.

Two of the three experts I sent pictures to are stumped. However the third, an expert in antique and vintage appliances has not responded as yet.

They are one and the same, it was sold on ebay and goodyguy is the new suc.......ah....owner ......NGE

that maybe it is part of a centrifugal fuse in an artillery shell.  It could be manually set before use to detonate at a pre determined altitude, and of course,  it would only be used once.

This could explain why there are no more 

I wish it could explain why it was found on a homestead in Alaska. 

Oh God will this ever end?
Well I guess I'm not helping.
Its a sprocket looking thing with numbers on it.
There, now go away.

It is part of an old Child's toy decoder that was planted by the Russians during the cold war to drive American scientists crazy and cause failure of our national defense system. We have been working on this as they planned and they have changed the leadership in the White House while we pondered this children's toy decoder part. Bummer!
     Where's Me Grog? 

It is part of an old Child's toy decoder that was planted by the Russians during the cold war to drive American scientists crazy and cause failure of our national defense system. We have been working on this as they planned and they have changed the leadership in the White House while we pondered this children's toy decoder part. Bummer!
     Where's Me Grog? 

http://gasolinealleyantiques.com/images/Premiums/roa-36decoder.JPG

that maybe it is part of a centrifugal fuse in an artillery shell.  It could be manually set before use to detonate at a pre determined altitude, and of course,  it would only be used once.

This could explain why there are no more 

You are a big GLIMMER OF HOPEFULLNESS JEFF OF PA.....lol....

Why do the numbers have to designate in 10's, why not 100's, or even 1,000's?  Also, why do the pointy things have to turn something, maybe they actually allowed light to pass between them?  Why is it made of aluminum, if it would have been made of steel, maybe it would have disappeared long ago and saved our sanity ........NGE

Why do the numbers have to designate in 10's, why not 100's, or even 1,000's?  Also, why do the pointy things have to turn something, maybe they actually allowed light to pass between them?  Why is it made of aluminum, if it would have been made of steel, maybe it would have disappeared long ago and saved our sanity ........NGE

Very interesting synopsis....    

it is for counting the end of days -- when 15 pigg nuts are found they each go in a slot on the item  completing the dreaded item and the cycle -- then when placed close to the  the brass acorn -- it causes it to open to revel the end of time as we know it ---  the spikes in the acorn are to prevent its trying to be opened sooner.  the unholy trinity  -- 15 counter , pigg nuts and brass acorn

Could it be a Rod Counter?

Look at Sheet 6 of 7 Figure 6

http://www.google.com/patents?id=i5...&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA7,M1

Tony

it is for counting the end of days -- when 15 pigg nuts are found they each go in a slot on the item  completing the dreaded item and the cycle -- then when placed close to the  the brass acorn -- it causes it to open to revel the end of time as we know it ---  the spikes in the acorn are to prevent its trying to be opened sooner.  the unholy trinity  -- 15 counter , pigg nuts and brass acorn

   I remember that.......

dont forget the doorknocker and the bar shot/bells........

this is going to be an unseen internal piece...the only part external are the lil finger sprockets for turning...this is what I think! In other words your not gonna just ask to see an aluminum sprocket dial because you cant see it without looking at it as a PART of something else!!!
  does that make sense? 

 I dont think its as old as we are all thinking it is
   

I've been thinking about this a lot lately (maybe because somebody keeps knocking it to the top...).  I've never bothered to read the whole thread but have read some spots around where I have posted.  Being the non-expert that I am may I make some suggestions....?

I gather it was found on a "homestead", although I haven't read enough of the post to see that musclecar said that it was in fact a "homestead".  Homestead implies old although it doesn't necessarily mean such.  We need to know the municipality the homestead was in and the address.  Then we need to find someone near that municipality willing to search the property and tax records of said homestead.  Then we find out, who was living there and what their profession was.  Although chances are it was a farm, there is no documentation of it.  This would lend support to those saying they have seen livestock counters that looked just like it.  In addition we might be able to find out the time frame the thing was dropped.  Since we know that there was very little settling there of advanced civilization until after the property was purchased from Russia we can safely assume that this is no indian artifact and it was more than likely dropped AFTER 1867.  Also, what kind of corrosion appears on aluminum?  This item looks relatively corrosion free (although I don't think aluminum corrodes all that quickly if at all) it appears to me that this could be a recent drop.  These are the places to start.

Could it be a Rod Counter?

Look at Sheet 6 of 7 Figure 6

http://www.google.com/patents?id=i5...&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA7,M1

Tony

No, I doubt this thing would last 2 days counting rods on an assembly line.  Keep looking.

  Also, what kind of corrosion appears on aluminum?  This item looks relatively corrosion free (although I don't think aluminum corrodes all that quickly if at all) it appears to me that this could be a recent drop.  These are the places to start.

Good point it is relatively corrosion free (some yellow staining and scratches)and was possibly never buried.

I dont think its as old as we are all thinking it is
   

IM HEARING ECHOES   

Is there such a thing as a 15 Minute Egg ?

Yeah! We used to bounce em off the chow hall wall & try to hit the cook in the head on the return bounce.

I appreciate all responses.  I had no idea this would draw so much attention.  I will try and describe it again. In 1996 I found it on an old homestead (circa 1950's) in a treed area by the river, in Soldotna, Alaska.  It was about 2 inches deep. 

It is all aluminum, weighs .4 oz, and measures 2 5/8" square.
It is not very durable for full time use.
Numbers are 1-15, with 15 at the stop.
It spins freely, with no detents between numbers. 
No markings other than the numbers.
The back has two folded-over tabs, mounting maybe?
The teeth are the same thickness.
The only wear spot is where the tips of the teeth have worn slightly into the base.
HH
MC

Just to refresh the details submitted by Musclecar back in 2007.

*added. Since it is made from aluminum and up until 1859 aluminum was more valuable than gold. I'm guessing it probably wasn't even manufactured until after 1915 or so when the price of aluminum came down to $40.00 a Kilo

...an old homestead (circa 1950's) in a treed area by the river...
...Soldotna, Alaska... 
...It is all aluminum, weighs .4 oz, and measures 2 5/8" square.

Ok.  I didn't remember seeing this one.  Either I was too lazy to read the whole thing or just plain forgot, but thanks!
1.  Just because there was a house there in 1950 doesn't mean there wasn't one there between 1867 and 1950 (ie need the property records)
2.  Need ALL tax records pertinent to this property (1867-1997).
3.  Need any map you can get your hands on, property or Beers would be best for late 1800s.  Tax and Sanborns for 1900s on.
4.  Census records may help for occupation of the landowner if you can get names from the property records.  1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.  If your still looking the 1940 comes out next year.

The reason for all this would be if this house were a place of business, possibly a farm, you would want to know what kind of business or farm it was.  It might help narrow the search (although not necessarily) of what exactly this thing is.  Being it is Alaska, and possibly rural, my money is on either some kind of appliance control, or the chicken/egg counter, neither of which I know anything about.

I'm stumped...Maybe you could donate it to Octo-mom to use as a kid counter....

I'm stumped...Maybe you could donate it to Octo-mom to use as a kid counter....

 

...an old homestead (circa 1950's) in a treed area by the river...
...Soldotna, Alaska... 
...It is all aluminum, weighs .4 oz, and measures 2 5/8" square.

Ok.  I didn't remember seeing this one.  Either I was too lazy to read the whole thing or just plain forgot, but thanks!
1.  Just because there was a house there in 1950 doesn't mean there wasn't one there between 1867 and 1950 (ie need the property records)
2.  Need ALL tax records pertinent to this property (1867-1997).
3.  Need any map you can get your hands on, property or Beers would be best for late 1800s.  Tax and Sanborns for 1900s on.
4.  Census records may help for occupation of the landowner if you can get names from the property records.  1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930.  If your still looking the 1940 comes out next year.

The reason for all this would be if this house were a place of business, possibly a farm, you would want to know what kind of business or farm it was.  It might help narrow the search (although not necessarily) of what exactly this thing is.  Being it is Alaska, and possibly rural, my money is on either some kind of appliance control, or the chicken/egg counter, neither of which I know anything about.

Soldotna, Alaska was or is a fishing town....isnt most of alaska? (Someone may have mentioned this already)

  In 1947, after World War II, United States government allowed settling of land on parts of the Kenai Peninsula under the Homestead Act. Veterans of the United States armed services were given a 90-day preference over non-veterans in selecting land and filing for property. Also in that year, the Sterling Highway right-of-way was cleared of trees from Cooper Landing to Kenai. The location of present-day Soldotna was selected as the site for the highway's bridge crossing the Kenai River.

I found it's twin buried in the Mojave Desert,Ca near the ghost town I live in

I found it's twin buried in the Mojave Desert,Ca near the ghost town I live in

can u post a pic?

the only things i can say is the two vee shaped knock outs look like they belong on a thin rod
the 15 half round sections look like a dowel would move the "count" one space at a time stopping the dowel after 15 moves
i have seen the v shape knock outs used to hang items befor and some of my older toys use the same setup
to lock the axels in place

now to figure out what uses a 15 cycle count

An Indiana YankeeID,Ed this as being used on poultry crates with 15 being maximum safe amount per crate.with multiple crates on truck made it easier to keep track of those sold,maybe with different types in each crate IE Hens roosters roasters layers,ETC

An Indiana YankeeID,Ed this as being used on poultry crates with 15 being maximum safe amount per crate.with multiple crates on truck made it easier to keep track of those sold,maybe with different types in each crate IE Hens roosters roasters layers,ETC

That sounds believable, but we need to see at least, hard evidence of another one.
(Before the Wine flows  )
If they were on poultry crates there should be many around, I think.
But ..... 

Mike

 

An Indiana YankeeID,Ed this as being used on poultry crates with 15 being maximum safe amount per crate.with multiple crates on truck made it easier to keep track of those sold,maybe with different types in each crate IE Hens roosters roasters layers,ETC

I doubt it. For one reason the dial will not stay on a given number. With any motion at all of the truck, or the crates, and this cheap dial will move off the set number and be useless as a counter. It can only be a counter if it stays completely motionless... and even then the dial might move.  Goody says the dial spins freely and there are no indents to hold it on a set number.

An Indiana YankeeID,Ed this as being used on poultry crates with 15 being maximum safe amount per crate.with multiple crates on truck made it easier to keep track of those sold,maybe with different types in each crate IE Hens roosters roasters layers,ETC

I doubt it. For one reason the dial will not stay on a given number. With any motion at all of the truck, or the crates, and this cheap dial will move off the set number and be useless as a counter. It can only be a counter if it stays completely motionless... and even then the dial might move.  Goody says the dial spins freely and there are no indents to hold it on a set number.

hmmmm.... back to the  's

Cy....Get that huge gray book ...the one with the 1,000,000,000 pages "All about these kinda things" down and find this thing Will Ya?!!!!! lol

I still say it an old rain guage. (And no I can't prove it, I'm just stubborn and always think I'm right) 

I'm sure this has already been asked....... but,
are the measurements between the tines the same or
do they gradually get a tiny bit wider?

I still say it an old rain guage. (And no I can't prove it, I'm just stubborn and always think I'm right) 

Rain guage with a dial?  http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/mech...c-Encyclopedia-Vol1/Rain-Gauge.html

The Alaskan version:

The Alaskan version:

 



No wait...cant be, or does it measure snow too?
 

  dial from a metal detector

Its a vintage fertalizer speader adjustment? Bobby had said something about it may be that it makes sense, as I remember my dad used to have one, it has 15 adjustments just like modern ones have,looking for a pic now.

Cy....Get that huge gray book ...the one with the 1,000,000,000 pages "All about these kinda things" down and find this thing Will Ya?!!!!! lol

Its not in the book.  

I think you could take all the "what is its" posted at TN and publish a neat pictorial reference book.

Cy....Get that huge gray book ...the one with the 1,000,000,000 pages "All about these kinda things" down and find this thing Will Ya?!!!!! lol

Its not in the book.  

I think you could take all the "what is its" posted at TN and publish a neat pictorial reference book.

I agree Bigcy, I've got a 1962 Belknap Hardware catalogue that has thousands of pages and I've looked at every single page looking for something like it.  Not in there.....