Do You Know What This Is And It's Use ?

[donny48]

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=14mt8co&s=9#.WvggyiAh06Q
Can anyone recognise this object ? You can judge its size by the Tesco carrier bag, I have not got the object just the photo at present.

[Davemano]

Donny, the piece of wire which I mentioned is quite clear on the picture by IJKLM 17.48 on 16.5.18. It is in the hole to the right hand of the main spring directly above the circle marked E. It is separate to the main spring housing.

[donny48]

Dave, I now see the wire, I was looking at the extreme right which has a hole right through it. Still no definite recognition, Some museums are getting back to me after the week-end.

[melv16]

Don't hold your breath about the museums, Donny. I've emailed several and only one (Leeds Armouries) has got back to.
I've been thinking it could also be used in the carpet industry.

[10ClarionSt]

You could be right there Melv. It could be a form of picking stick, which fires the shuttle from one side to the other, although the size of it seems to go against that, as it looks a bit small for carpet weaving. I worked on weaving looms but can't remember seeing anything like this which moved the shuttle. However, I do think it could be something to do with the textile industry as there were many different mechanisms for moving threads in the machinery.

[melv16]

Just had a response from Bradford industrial museum, they're looking into it.

[donny48]

The Science Museum say they don't investigate calls from the public.

[Eleena]

Great melv!
That's disappointing donny.

[melv16]

My local industrial museum have got back to me....flummoxed..

[donny48]

Good try , Melv.

[RATTER15]

Just a guess, the mechanism that fits under the old type sewing machine that sits in a fancy table, the device would sit underneath and revolves the sewing machine to lie flat inside the cabinet out of view. I could be wrong!

[horseshoes]

Its not anything to do with Knurr and Spell is it?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knurr_and_Spell

[Canary42]

I'm so pleased to find this thread on returning to Answerbank after a prolonged absence. I've just been right through all the answers and become absolutely addicted - I do hope we eventually solve it, such a big disappointment for us all I'm sure if we don't. Thanks donny for such a fascinating puzzle.
P.S. I'm a bit surprised by the Science Museum's snooty response.

[Mamyalynne]

Missed you Canary.

[donny48]

Horseshoes, I can't see it being used for that game but keep going with the suggestions.
Ratter, the article is a bit clumsy and heavy duty to be part of an ordinary sewing machine but perhaps an industrial model of some sort.
Canary, considering the responses from the scores of organisations that I have contacted then I was most suprised with the Science Museum too.

[melv16]

Received this today, from the mining museum in Wakefield.

//Sorry for the delay in replying, I have been showing the image across both shifts.



Unfortunately, we don’t have a specific answer for you.



It is difficult to recognise as it has lost its cover. It appears that it should be mounted vertically braced on the peg at the bottom. The manner of construction and the pipe coming off it makes me think of locomotives or at least some engine control. Unfortunately that is as far as I can say. And while our miners have plenty of ideas on how it works, what it does alludes them.



Sorry I could not be of more help.//

[kvalidir]

My grandfather seems to think it's something used in the linen trade mounted vertically he says.

[donny48]

Good work from both of you, I am now of the opinion that we may never find the exact use. I still have some inquires doing the rounds so I do not give up hope altogether.

[mallyh]

wish we could get hold of phil from antiques road trip he always finds weird and wonderful things

[Mamyalynne]

Philip Serrell's on Twitter.

[mallyh]

I don't do twitter or face book i'm to thick for all this technology x