MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Pluggy]

Tiz has left me in charge of this, so I know what it is. Its highly specialized, (or was in its day, its long obsolete) but what it actually does is pretty simple. That should give you something to go on.

[chinatyke]

Supporting earthenware when being fired in a kiln?

It's obvious that the notches nearest the screw cannot be used so whatever it is it wasn't well designed. Stanley would have done better.

[Stanley]

I'm baffled. Obviously for temporarily supporting something at the right level.

[plaques]

Something to do with bomb disposal. Non-magnetic so you can place it on or near the bomb. Became obsolete with the introduction of atomic bombs.

[chinatyke]

Propping open sash windows?

[Stanley]

I've had another study..... I think the fact that the top surfaces are curved and smooth indicates that something was supposed to slide on it and it's for keeping whatever that was at the right height.

[Pluggy]

No-one even close.

Big Clue:

[chinatyke]

For holding open mouths of (animals?) patients whilst medicine is administered?

I'm trying to make the answer fit the clue.

[Pluggy]

No, think old school version of generically what's in the box I posted.

[plaques]

Support to allow willow branches to be fed in at the correct height for stripping their bark. Old method of making aspirin.

[Stanley]

The old form of Beecham's Powders was in a folded piece of paper. Can't see the connection but obviously something to do with making them.... Or am I on the wrong track?

[Pluggy]

Stanley is red hot, I'll give it a while longer to see if anyone can add any more to it. It is something to do with making the folded paper used to wrap medicine powders in the old days.

What it does is very simple and the form of the object is not very important.

[Stanley]

Is it for marking the paper or an aid to folding? Ah! Do you put the paper on it, push it down, drop the powder in and then fold it by hand?

[PanBiker]

If you put a slightly oversize piece of paper in the top pushed down to make a "V" the device will automatically fold the open three sides when the legs are pushed together, the ratchet to hold it open in position for filling.

[Pluggy]

Stanley is near enough.

This is what Tiz emailed to me before he left :

The object is a pharmacist's powder folder. In the days before tablet-making machines were commonplace solid medicines were dispensed in single doses as a dry powder hand-folded in a small paper sheet. The folded papers were then packed in a small cardboard box. The correct dose of powder was poured onto the paper and it was first folded several times along the longest axis to enclose the powder, then the ends were folded over to prevent it escaping. The length of the finished sachet had to be correct for the amount of powder and the size of box. The machine is simply a brass structure that can be adjusted to ensure the ends are folded at the correct points as shown in the accompanying photo.

[Stanley]

It seems my brain is still functioning despite tech overload......
Try this.....

[Gloria]

Is it some sort of valve??

[chinatyke]

Candle snuffer?

[PanBiker]

That would be my guess as well China

[Stanley]

Sorry, nowhere near yet.

[Cathy]

Is it the top bit of a bunsen burner ?

[David Whipp]

pressure valve?

[Stanley]

Nobody is anywhere near. You need a clue. Think back to the days before hydraulics....

[David Whipp]

Jack lifted by a screw? (A very small one...)

[chinatyke]

Nobody is anywhere near. You need a clue. Think back to the days before hydraulics....

Are we talking about hydraulic brakes? So is it a guide for a brake rod?