Hazard A Guess: Week of April 17, 2008

Hello from Hazard!

Another faithful Hazard-ite, Edward Wanchock of Sewickley, Pa., joined Joe Betz (who responded last week that it looked like a wrench for his acetylene tank valve ) in the only answers to Item No. 829.

Ed says it looks like a T wrench to open/close a recessed, hidden valve or to control the flow of water or gas. The hammer head helps loosen a lid or cap and the other side could maybe be used to pry off or open the cap of the recessed housing. But he admits the semicircular bend in the head has him puzzled.

It’s been three weeks, so we’ll close the books on Item No. 829, hoping our two veterans are close to hitting the nail on the head (or the valve, I should say). Many thanks to Jim Hudkins of Cuyahoga Falls for submitting the item to Hazard a Guess.
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For Item No. 830, I’m going to turn right back to Ed Wanchock.

It’s a really interesting-looking item and I think I can guarantee Hazard has not had this item in its 20+-year history.

Ed says it’s a wooden item measuring about 4 1/8 inches, with screws in the back so that it could be secured on a wall. The front features a semi-circle cast iron notched “shelf” (looks like fingers).

He was told it has a unique use, but he’s never been able to confirm it, so he turns to the expert Hazard readers.

Hmmm. Does anyone remember seeing this gizmo (Hint: Ed was told it was NOT a household item.)?

Send your answers to: Hazard a Guess, P.O. Box 38, Salem, OH 44460; or via e-mail to editorial@farmanddairy.com.

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If you have something you’d like to submit to Hazard a Guess, please send a clear 35 mm photograph (no Polaroids, please) or digital photo file, along with a complete description of size, unique markings and explanation of how the tool was used, to: Hazard a Guess, P.O. Box 38, Salem, OH 44460; or via e-mail to: editorial@farmanddairy.com. Or if you’re driving through Salem, Ohio, weekdays, you can drop by our office and we’ll take the picture for you (not on Mondays, please, that’s deadline day!)