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

I found this in Alaska about 10 years ago, and have never been able to ID it.  It is an aluminum piece, about 3 inches square.  It has 15 teeth and is numbered 1-15.  There is a stop preventing it from spinning freely.  The back has two tabs that may have been used to mount it.   ANY GUESSES?

Thanks,

MC

PS The quarter used for size was found yesterday!  1935S  Yeah!

I found this in Alaska about 10 years ago, and have never been able to ID it.  It is an aluminum piece, about 3 inches square.  It has 15 teeth and is numbered 1-15.  There is a stop preventing it from spinning freely.  The back has two tabs that may have been used to mount it.   ANY GUESSES?

My guess is a counter for keeping track of maintenence or some other task.

Piece from the inside of a vending machine?

just a guess wind speed in x10 mph     demon

Hmmmm, most intriguing.  What gets counted to 15 before starting over?  Most things are counted in sets of 10, the decimal system.  Hmmm, perhaps in counting liquid ounces?  Hit 15 and the next ounce gets counted as a pint?  The aluminum composition must mean that whatever it was used for, it wouldn't necessarily take a beating or be roughly handled since aluminum won't hold up to abuse like steel would, although it won't rust like steel would, which leads me back to liquid measure.  I'll be anxiously awaiting the correct answer...if we ever get one.

im guessing part of some scales for measuring wieght. but i only looked at it for like 20 seconds

Its to tell the milkman how much milk you want.  Big family!

Have you ever Adjusted Breaks on a Vehicle with a screwdriver ?

You stuck a screwdriver Between teeth like this in clicked them.


 I say It's an Adjuster for something  ;)

Have you ever Adjusted Breaks on a Vehicle with a screwdriver ?

You stuck a screwdriver Between teeth like this in clicked them.


 I say It's an Adjuster for something  ;)

I'm with jeff, an adjustor of some type.

I'd guess maybe it's a stop for a reel to a slot machine.

The problem with the idea that it is a piece of machinery is that there is no visible linkage that would connect it to anything.  I think that whatever it is, it had to be operated by hand.  TreasureTales asked what gets counted to 15, and noted that most things get counted in groups of 10.  That may be true for objects and items, but what about duty cycles, tasks and other intangibles?  I'm still thinking that it is a counter, and that it was used to track usage or when preventive maintenence was due or parts needed to be replaced.

  I'm still thinking that it is a counter

I agree.

(Hey, it's easier than coming up with a better guess. )

The end on a hand operated pencil sharpener?

The end on a hand operated pencil sharpener?

Don't think so, as there doesn't seem to be anything different about the indvidual, numbered semicircular spaces.  Can't see any way for it to vary the size of pencil accepted, length to be sharpened, fineness of point, etc.

Nevertheless, it's an interesting guess— and a perfect excuse to post this link to a great site on antique pencil sharpeners!

http://www.officemuseum.com/pencil_sharpeners.htm

Nevertheless, it's an interesting guess— and a perfect excuse to post this link to a great site on antique pencil sharpeners!

Dang... LOL... How long you been waiting to use THAT excuse PBK? 

Nevertheless, it's an interesting guess— and a perfect excuse to post this link to a great site on antique pencil sharpeners!

Dang... LOL... How long you been waiting to use THAT excuse PBK? 

Easy there, MJ!  I'm a mite like those old-time pencil sharpeners... I get to the point, but I can be a little cranky doing it!  ;)

(J/K )

Regulates the speed of something or tightness

This IS a mystery!  I checked out this awesome site... and like PBK, find it the perfect time to share it.  I keep it on my desktop for reference, but only found a few possibilities for this item. 

I've been thinking along the lines of tabulation... but the # 15 has me stumped too.

http://www.officemuseum.com/We%20Buy%20Office%20Antiques.htm

I got it!!!  15 millilitres = 1 tablespoon!  LOL  

anywho..  my guess would be

a scale..many hand held spring type fish scales come in 15 lb versions...but
you would expect to see a zero on the dial eh?

my second guess..
due to its aluminum lightweight construction it was simply an indicator on some type of machine or appliance and just gave a visual # of where you were set at..speed control, heat setting..??
(aa  is see you posted the same thought as I was typing )

cheers,

Is there such a thing as a 15 Minute Egg ?

Is there such a thing as a 15 Minute Egg ?

Yes.  Used as an artillery projectile!

Perhaps this is the way to look at it? Not any closer to an anwser but any way something to think about.

Thanks all for your input, but I am still not quite convinced.  If I dig way back into my hard drive, I kinda remember somebody saying something about an airplane part.  Maybe something to do with altitude.  I forgot, cause I couldn't perceive what he was talking about.  Maybe that will help.

MC

Is there such a thing as a 15 Minute Egg ?

Yes.  Used as an artillery projectile!

Or...

if they mounted it that way wouldnt they make the numbers so they are the right way up when they go past the pointer thingy.

Although I do think Montana's idea might work.

 

I have seen something similiar mounted on either a fence ,or a rabbit cage I don,t exactly Remember,but could it be used to keep track of some interval like vaccinations or innoculation?

I have seen something similiar mounted on either a fence ,or a rabbit cage I don,t exactly Remember,but could it be used to keep track of some interval like vaccinations or innoculation?

Haven;t got a clue as to what it was used for, but the the theory of being mounted on a fence sounds good..the bottom tabs would slip in behind the wire and then the tabs on the back would slip over the wire and then be bent closed  ..both holding whatever it is in place. Maybe DNS uses it to count the illegals coming over or under the fence...

Thanks all for your input, but I am still not quite convinced.  If I dig way back into my hard drive, I kinda remember somebody saying something about an airplane part.  Maybe something to do with altitude.  I forgot, cause I couldn't perceive what he was talking about.  Maybe that will help.

MC

Where are all the aeronautical engineers and pilots?  They certainly would know if it were an airplane part.  If they don't know what it is I would bet it's NOT an airplane part.

I dunno... seems kinda light-weight to be a reliable aircraft part with no real connections, and a dial for what?  I'm no expert (nor a pilot) but have several hundred hours in N-Model hueys... and even those late 60's bare-bones choppers didn't have dials that were static or light-weight like that.

I dunno... seems kinda light-weight to be a reliable aircraft part with no real connections, and a dial for what?  I'm no expert (nor a pilot) but have several hundred hours in N-Model hueys... and even those late 60's bare-bones choppers didn't have dials that were static or light-weight like that.

Now my guess is that unless one of the boys that builds them comes in here with a different story Montana Jim can be relied on that this is not an airplane part.  He seems to know a little bit about aircraft, and when you've had flight time (although not a pilot), you can't just "know a little" about what your talking about.

I hope I learned something after 23 years in the Air Force!  I'd sure like to know what this thing is though, and that damned acorn with spikes!

I hope I learned something after 23 years in the Air Force!  I'd sure like to know what this thing is though, and that damned acorn with spikes!

Isn't the spiked acorn thing settled?  I thought it turned out to be an anti-theft device for a watch.

so how does it protect your watch from being stolen 

What about a parachute timer? Isn't 15,000 feet the usual limit on height except for HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) maneuvers?

http://www.ordnance.org/luu2bb.htm

perhaps, now this sounds a bit odd, a fish counter clipped to the side of a boat or fish basket, every fish one click until you have reached a limit of 15?

so how does it protect your watch from being stolen  ??

Page link:

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,37090.400.html

Link to explanation and picture at Antique Pocket Watches:

http://www.antique-watch.com/des/w4437.html

Perhaps this is the way to look at it? Not any closer to an anwser but any way something to think about.

Hi dgjr.....Welcome back.......good job on iding this thing peebles!

so how does it protect your watch from being stolen  ??

Page link:

http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,37090.400.html

Link to explanation and picture at Antique Pocket Watches:

http://www.antique-watch.com/des/w4437.html

wrong thread...what a nightmare that was!

cog or sprocket from a 15-speed bicycle? I'm trying to find a close pic...
Lara

ugh, oh I don't know - I give up, but think it's something with a chaindrive (like a bike chain fits over the teeth). Too many results and random bike-building sites to go through, but anyone think this might be the right path?

I have to agree that it was NOT used as a mechanical part.  I was thinking some type of counter or ciphering device.  But wouldn't it have ZERO on it to be used for counting or keeping tabs?

Of course, if it's Canadian, it's metric.  So the scale would really be 32 to 60 (double the number and add 30 for conversion, right?) 

DCMatt

It's part of the gear shifting mechanism for a 15 speed cross country racing bicycle.  No doubt about it.......that it is a guess. Monty

your kidding right, from a bike, i dont think so.

There is no way this is a mechanical part.  It is almost defiantly a counter. Most likely for shooting game birds (same use as the one in my pic.)  Maybe mounted to a shotshell bag you wear on your belt. You could turn it by feel and it stops you at 15. You read it after the shoot to know how many birds you had to find. Hand turned counters were defiantly used by bird hunters as per my example.

This one is going to keep me up tonight... it is SO darned familiar!  I feel I've seen this before... somewhere... it has to be something simple. 

Does this stupid picture I made jog anyone's memory???

Its to tell the milkman how much milk you want.  Big family!

I believe your right. Back in the 50's and 60's they used metal baskets,thus the 2 tabs to hang the dial on metal basket.  Remember milk didn't come in 1 gallon bottles back then.  I believe quarts, so 15 quarts would be  2 3/4 gallons of milk.

No, I'm really serious about the bicycle guess.  All the parts on a racing bike are light weight aluminum or titanium. After all I am around .04% accurate on my guesses.    Monty

did beer come in 15 teens lol

I think it mounts this way. for the pointer

it is a very intertesing piece     how about the sorrounding where it was found ??

How sure are you Jeff?

I have never adjusted brakes on a car with anything that looked like that.

To my eye, it was mounted vertically as shown - and to my mind it is a mechanical counter for something.  Having been found in Alaska, Aviation or Fishing seem likely candidates.

p.s, Doesn't it just count to 14?

sorry I adjusted brakes from 54 to 2006 wedge to caliper nothing seams close in that respect

the star wheels are app. 3/4 inch dia   and hardened

It's only a Guess.
I remember there was a Hole I stuck a Screwdriver in &
would push the gear spikes up or down,
depending on what I wanted to do. . definately not exactly like that.
but I still think it's an Adjuster of some type.

See the Slot up py the 15 ?
That appears to be a spring Lock of some type.
which needs to be released to turn the Wheel.

and maby to lock it on each number.

or maby prevent the wheel from going full circle past the Pointer.


and I believe this was turned by hand with your fingers.
up where the 15 is now.

OK, I finally Got it.

It's a CB Radio Channel Adjuster.

 

 It’s definitely not a drum brake adjusting spool.
 
 I think it goes more towards a tally counting machine. A finger looks like it was used to turn the tally pointer to the next number. Those tabs are typical of something being mounted to sheet metal. Back in the day tabs like that where placed into slots on the mounting surface and then bent over to secure the item. Tabs like where also used for a hinge pin like someone suggested.  

 You can see a brake adjusting spool in the picture below, they need to be duty like someone already said. Tool tool used to adjust a brake drum spools is call a
brakespoon but we all use a screwdriver for some reason. Mybe because the brakespoon is always hiding somewhere, lol .



 Just my two cents.

 HH

No this is where I would put the Screwdricer against to Adjust.

Was just a bad Example I guess to make my point 

 Not a bad example. I knew what you meant, that's the brake adjusting spool, they don't have a counter or meter.

  It was mounted on something and a finger was used to advance the number. Just my guess.

 Not a bad example. I knew what you meant, that's the brake adjusting spool, they don't have a counter or meter.

  It was mounted on something and a finger was used to advance the number. Just my guess.

   Mine also ant

I still think it's a simple rotary counter or numerical indicator.  That's the one obvious function that it can perform.  There are no other evident working parts— just a wheel numbered 1-15, with a stop at 15, and a pointer to align with the selected number.  What else does it do?  What else can it do?

It's for employee's that get paid on the 1st and the 15th.

This think also looks familiar and it is driving me mad.

Tony

An early CIA cypher machine?

 

I still think it's a simple rotary counter or numerical indicator.  That's the one obvious function that it can perform.  There are no other evident working parts— just a wheel numbered 1-15, with a stop at 15, and a pointer to align with the selected number.  What else does it do?  What else can it do?

He,he,he.
Its the brass acorn all over again....

Doh!  Well, let me try a bit of detecting.  I think we all pretty much agree it's some kind of tally or counter....right?  There is a lot of caneries in Alaska that would require machines with some means of keeping a tally............so....  Where did you find it, near civilization or in the wilderness?  Monty

The piece was found at an old homestead.  I tend to agree that it is a counter of some sort, although it spins freely, and if bumped, it would easily move to a different number.  There are no detents to keep it in one place other than the stop at 15.

MC

I still think it's a simple rotary counter or numerical indicator.  That's the one obvious function that it can perform.  There are no other evident working parts— just a wheel numbered 1-15, with a stop at 15, and a pointer to align with the selected number.  What else does it do?  What else can it do?

Amen!

I'ts obvious that there is no linkage that would connect it directly to a mechanism, or any indication of anything it does other than spin.  What we do know is the the following:

1. It's numbered from 1-15.
2. There is a stop at #15.
3. The wheel spins freely.
4. There are sprocket teeth on the wheel.
5. The sprocket teeth appear to be splayed at the same angle as the cut-out behind them.

Based on this, I suspect that it is a counter that is designed to stop some currently unknown function/task at 15.  I further suspect that it does this by means of a rotating swing arm that enters the down-sloped part of the cut-out on one side.  This centers the space between the teeth in between the sloped sides of the cutout.  The swing arm sits there until the currently unknown function/task is completed, then the mechanism that drives the swing arm causes it to exit the opposite side of the cut-out from which it entered.  In doing so, the swing arm moves the counter one notch and positions the teeth on the wheel for the next tally.  When the counter reaches 15 the stop prevents the swing arm from moving it any further without some intervening action.  Think of a clock mechanism that uses sprockets of varying sizes to turn others.  Some sprockets are continuously turning, such as the sprockets that drive the second hand.  Other sprockets turn less frequently, such as those that drive a date mechanism or chime.  When the counter on this device hits the stop at 15, a mechanism would either lift the swing arm out and drop another one in to rewind counter, or the same swing arm would rotate in the opposite direction to rewind it as the currently unknown function/task clears the decks of the just finished task and readies itself for the second task.  As has been noted, 15 is a fairly strange number for counting.  But think of a machine that drops product into a 5 x 3 unit grid (such as bottles) or fills a bag with 15 units of product (like licorice/twizzler sticks).  The movement of the product actuates the swing arm.  The movement of the 16th unit of product is halted by the stop on the counter, which also switches off the forward action of the machine.  This trips the mechanism that resets the process, and the product movement continues.  If eggs were sold in lots of 15 instead of 12 or 18 I could see this type of process being used to fill egg cartons.  Just call me Sylar...

He,he,he.
Its the brass acorn all over again....

Please no! LOL 

I'm still thinking timer. It can be set anywhere from 1 to 15 and when it reaches 1, it shuts off. Could be in minutes or hours, etc. Naturally it would have to be mechanical

That's easy. This is a device that allows you to count to 15 with one hand.

ok which one of the (1950's) period classified radar early warning station in the very far north of alaska did you fetch this object from? you do know that its a sweep counter from a early warming radar dectector (15 sweeps a min) don't you --so be careful those old sites were known to stay hot for many years due to the massive radation they put out --many of the old operators wound up with cancer from being there & working at those sites.

ok which one of the (1950's) period classified radar early warning station in the very far north of alaska did you fetch this object from? you do know that its a sweep counter from a early warming radar dectector (15 sweeps a min) don't you --so be careful those old sites were known to stay hot for many years due to the massive radation they put out --many of the old operators wound up with cancer from being there & working at those sites.

Now... this is interesting!  This item kept me up at night trying to figure out what it was months ago!

Okay... Ivan, do you have some kind of information that we can see, diagrams, pics... anything to show what this is?  I guess I'm asking for another source that this is a classified radar early warning station sweep counter from an early warning radar detector!!

For some reason, it reminds me of an old style rotary phone. Obviously they didn't count up to 15 but I still can't get it out of my head. Strange...
Good luck with the ID. 
D.

It looks like some type of embosser to be.  Maybe it was used to stamp numbers on maybe a thin strip of something.  I've used them to emboss on thin stips of metal tags.

  Smarty pants.

Lets state the obvious. It is a counter or measruring device for going to 15 repeatedly. fishing, manufacturing, who knows?

Ed Donovan

Geez Guys, this was so easy to ID I can't believe you hadn't figured it out by now.
It is part of an old dial telephone. They only had 15 people living in Alaska when it was made, so everyone had their own #.  Any takers? 
-MM-

OK you got me! I am one of the 15 give me a call my number is 12

That tab sticking up by the "15" must have been there for some reason...maybe it counted something, and when it made it up that high it flipped a switch for some kind of limit...dunno. I was an electrician for years, and never saw anything like it, I worked on lots of old stuff too.

My first thought was an old feeler gauge for spark plugs, but it doesn't look like the tabs are different thicknesses. And there would be no reason for the stop by the 15 either.  

One pound is slightly over 15 troy ounces.  Alaska= gold - best guess I have

Its an old distance wheel used for topographical maps, probably 1:100,000.  you would set it for the distance you wanted to travel and then roll it along a specific azmith until it stopped.

granted this a SWAG   

I still have this red herring in the back of my mind.  Using the analytical approach like midden monster, I think it was mounted on another part, perhaps by a brad through the backup plate.  Someone mentioned the two hangers or clips on the backup plate, but there are also two larger holes and I can see some wear on the one on the left looking at it from behind. So, some kind of fastener might have gone through there. And since it freewheels, something probably fit into the notch to hold it in place until the next number was up.  I still can't get the gear indicator out of my mind for a 15 speed racing or cross country bicycle.   Hmmmm, let me see if I can find a pic of the gear indicator I am talking about.   Monty

I think it could be a plane part.

Maybe it's a fifteen minute timer.

the one I seen was mounted on a rabbit cge or chicken coup,My guess is still a counter  but what?
a fertility counter of sometype to predict when animal was in estrus?
a vaacination reminder?
A chicken egg productivity counter?
Keep this post alive
I just gotta know, was it five or six?

in a way it looks like one of the tumblers for a safe lock.  although 15 is a pretty small number for a combination

Sports counter?

Tennis? Score

Boxing? Rounds

Tony

A real brain teaser you have there Musclecar.  Its a real nice one too.

With all these brains you would think someone might know??

ivan salis claimed to know... I asked for some kid of independent verification but he has not returned?  Maybe he was kidding and I feel for it hook, line, sinker. 

I don't know guys,but whatever it 'counted' or 'reversed' at intervals,I believe that something rode within  the sprocket,not on the fingers.Something would drop into the cavities and ride up on the next 'finger'.Maybe it did count twine or wire,or inches???

My mother-in-law would count every stroke when she played golf. . . she had (needed) something like this attached to her golf bag to add her score up on every hole.

I really don't have a clue what this is. . . It can't be THAT old since it's made from aluminum. . . it does seem well machined/stamped but not really designed for any "heavy-duty" industrial applications.

If you were to "roll" the sprockets across a soft surface, what would the distance be between the indentations made by the sprockets? Maybe this will spark an additional clue.

Good luck,
watercolor

(Laughs) Seriously guys, how many hours have you spent trying to ID this?

Any coins fit inbetween the teeth?

(Laughs) Seriously guys, how many hours have you spent trying to ID this?

I've spent many hours... jeez, it's driving me crazy!  Then, after it went away and I was able to sleep again at night it came back!

I'm going with Mrs. O's hay baler thought and calling it good.   ;)

I'm never looking at this post again!!   

I'll be checking it tomorrow... 

I've sent this link to everybody I know around here and nobody has been brave enough to even take a guess, lol!!!

Musclecar.  My guess is that it went to a grandfather clock or any other kind of clock that needs winding.

I'm only writing this so I could be poster #100! 

I'm only writing this so I could be poster #100! 

Doesn't matter.  The whatsit only counts up to 15.

I'm only writing this so I could be poster #100! 

Doesn't matter.  The whatsit only counts up to 15.

    PBK you must be a real riot at the dinner table.  Too funny!!!  LOL

I have seen this before, its a part of a boiler thermostat if I remember correctly. it slides into a plate that has the wire cable and peep hole that you view your  setting at..