Hazard A Guess: Week of May 3, 2001

Hello from Hazard!

Just to let you know. There was, indeed, one reader who did think Item No. 617 was used in horseshoeing – as indicated by Dave Cover, who sent in the item. Hugh Pallister of Willoughby, Ohio, admitted it was just a guess, but in this case, it was a good one.

No one has correctly identified Item No. 618, which we’ve featured for two weeks. We received guesses of a tool used to light a cutting torch; an oil can spout; a saw set for setting the teeth on a handsaw; a tool for cutting the end of something, such as the end of a cigar; and a fuel pump valve.

We won’t keep you in suspense any longer. According to L. Howell of Beach City, Ohio, who submitted the gadget, it is a kitchen tool, a pineapple eye cutter, dated April 19, 1904. Incidentally, it looks nothing like the pineapple eye cutter we first featured – which is what triggered Mr. Howell to bring this one in to show us.

On with the show. Item No. 619 is a bit of eastern Ohio history, with an ag connection, you might say. And that’s all the hint you’ll get. It is about 6 inches tall.

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

If you’ve got an old tool or gadget you’d like to share with readers of Hazard a Guess, send a 35mm photograph (color is fine), plus a detailed description of size and use, to the address listed above. If you live near Salem, or are traveling through, you can bring the item to our office at 185 E. State Street to be photographed during business hours.