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Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 15 Feb 2018, 07:28
by Stanley
Quite right, I meant this year! It's my age you know........
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 16 Feb 2018, 05:00
by Stanley
Try this one.....

Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 16 Feb 2018, 08:49
by PanBiker
Clock winder?
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 16 Feb 2018, 09:00
by chinatyke
Made by Johnny?
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 16 Feb 2018, 09:58
by Tizer
Starting handle for Noddy's car?

Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 17 Feb 2018, 03:12
by Marilyn
Window opener?
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 17 Feb 2018, 03:44
by Stanley
Sorry, no to all. Not made by Johnny, standard office equipment in its day.
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 17 Feb 2018, 09:32
by PanBiker
Winder from an adding machine?
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 17 Feb 2018, 12:03
by Tizer
Part of a pencil sharpener?
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 18 Feb 2018, 03:45
by chinatyke
Stanley wrote: ↑17 Feb 2018, 03:44
Sorry, no to all. Not made by Johnny, standard office equipment in its day.
I've just remembered what it is. Long time since I worked at Windle & Bowker. That is a clue!
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 18 Feb 2018, 04:12
by Stanley
You've got a good memory China. Here's another clue.

Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 19 Feb 2018, 06:39
by Stanley
I think you'd better enlighten the masses China!
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 19 Feb 2018, 09:39
by Tizer
I still think it's for opening cans of tuna! Perhaps during the accountants' lunch hour.

Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 19 Feb 2018, 09:42
by chinatyke
It's a winding handle that you insert in ledger splines to open them for insertion or removal of loose pages, typically used for company book-keeping and minutes. It's 55 years since I used one at W & B.
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 20 Feb 2018, 04:22
by Stanley
Exactly right China. The one I have is unused and is a ledger. God knows what they would cost today! Next one?
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 21 Feb 2018, 05:18
by Stanley
Try this one. It's a shuttle of course but what's special about it?
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 22 Feb 2018, 04:47
by Stanley
No takers?
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 22 Feb 2018, 11:57
by Tizer
It looks smaller than normal
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 22 Feb 2018, 12:17
by plaques
Would I get a gold medal if I got this thread correct?
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 22 Feb 2018, 15:03
by PanBiker
It looks like it takes a bobbin rather than a pirn.
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 23 Feb 2018, 04:09
by Stanley
P has got it. No. it's a fairly common shuttle but specialised.
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 23 Feb 2018, 09:59
by Tizer
Very clever, Plaques! Thanks for the double clue! Although if I were to be pedantic I'd point out that the `gold' thread was never really gold, just a coating on a cheaper metal. Assuming that object's done, how about this? Where and what is it?

Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 24 Feb 2018, 04:13
by Stanley
You've got there! It's a shuttle for carrying a bobbin of gold thread for weaving into goods for the Indian market. Are you sure in your assertion Tiz that it was base metal? That isn't my information and remember it had to stand up to repeated washing.
The room. It looks communal, educational, has feeding arrangements and whispers Icelandic or far North of Scandinavia to me. One thing certain, no indigenous trees, everything seems to be made of plywood or possibly driftwood. Icelandic Clarion House?
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 24 Feb 2018, 10:20
by Tizer
Gold thread...have a look at this article from the V&A Museum conservators:
LINK
You are getting warm with your mention of high latitudes and lack of trees! But it's not a Clarion House (as far as I know!).
Re: MYSTERY OBJECTS
Posted: 24 Feb 2018, 11:16
by Wendyf
Simpson's Gold Thread Works in Preston manufactured gold thread up until 1990. Our history society were given a very interesting talk about it a few years ago. It was made a fine wire of silver and copper encased in gold leaf.