MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Stanley]

What is it?

[Gloria]

Not a clue, but it’s an interesting looking thing.

[Stanley]

And surprisingly enough, it's something we all have need of from time to time.....

[PanBiker]

I know, there are some bits missing though. My mum used to have one.

[Stanley]

Thanks for keeping stum Ian.
Give it until dinnertime and if nobody comes up with the answer, spill the beans!

[Cathy]

Intriguing , but sadly no idea .

[PanBiker]

It' a shoe stretcher, the two arms at the front could have various sleeves fitted that would add bulk in the correct places within the shoe. Such as a prominence maybe at one side if the user had bunions. Don't know what happened to it but I still have a three legged last that my mum had as well. We use it as a door stop for the front door.

[Stanley]

Dead right Ian..... I saw one on the Repair Shop and that was what triggered me.
Now we need another object!

[Stanley]

What is it?

[Cathy]

I want to say a reindeer or caribou , but it’s probably not.

[Stanley]

You're right Cathy, it isn't!

[Cathy]

A taxidermied rabbit, with antlers added?

[Stanley]

Curses! You're right Cathy and the name that is given to this common joke is that it is a 'Jackalope'.
Now we need another object!
(See THIS Wikipedia article on the subject.)

[Stanley]

What are they?

[Big Kev]

The jaws from a chuck?

[Stanley]

Yes Kev, you're right but I want more, I want to know the maker of the chuck they came out of. This is not as extreme as you might think, anyone who has used a chuck by this maker will recognise them instantly. Clue, it's a British chuck and reputedly the best gripping jaws in the business!

[PanBiker]

Were they made by Johnny Pickles for the ornamental turning lathe?

[Stanley]

Sorry Ian but no. These were commercially available chucks but they went out of business a long time ago. I have one small 3 jaw SC chuck and yes, Johnny bought it new.

[Big Kev]

Are they from a Pratt 3 jaw?

[Stanley]

Sorry Kev but no. this would seem to be one of the impossible subjects unless you know. The answer is that it's a Taylor's chuck and they were distinctive because the beds for the jaws were on an angle. (LINK)
Next one?

[Stanley]

What is it?

[Cathy]

A piece of Bakelite.
Sorry, not much help.

[Stanley]

It's a start Cathy, no, it's glass..... (And started life in Australia....)

[PanBiker]

Looks like the bottom of a broken beer bottle or container for some other liquid perhaps?

[Stanley]

That's what it is Ian, a broken wine bottle but it's a very special one and it's been on here before.... I shan't let it hang on for long. Clue, it started its life at Eumalga.....