Hello from Hazard!
OK, two more comments on Item No. 657, and then we must shut the door on it (heck, I don’t even remember what the thing looks like any more … Oh, yes, it was that paneled lantern-looking thing. Several readers said it was a bee smoker, but then others objected). Here’s what John Kusch, the rascal who started the whole thing by submitting it, says about the recent two guesses: It could be a hillbilly musical instrument, but it doesn’t open up, so it’s not likely to be the Victorian specimen holder. The End.
Dale Gregg of Sycamore, Ohio, was quick to identify Item No. 662, first featured in the Oct. 17 issue. The tool is a mechanical jack used for a wagon jack, buggy jack or bumper jack. The handle on top is made to hook on to a post, Gregg writes, and used as a fence stretcher, or a single wire stretcher, too. A wooden handle is missing from the front side, he adds.
Our thanks to both Gregg and Jimmy Bruno of St. Clairsville, Ohio, who originally submitted the photograph.
John Kusch of Westland, Mich., seems like such a nice guy, I’ll forgive him the Item No. 657 fiasco, and let him submit another item, Item No. 663. This is a side view of the gadget, and I’ll also tell you that an end view shows a hole in the wider end, but that’s the only hint I’ll give.
How was this used? Give us a response at: Hazard a Guess, P.O. Box 38, Salem, OH 44460; or via e-mail: editorial@farmanddairy.com.
Until next week …
