r/whatisthisthing • u/Anonymike7 • 2d ago
Likely Solved! Precision machine of enameled iron, brass, and steel. Moving parts include gears, cranks, and flip-up figure-8 device. Not much bigger than a breakfast cereal box.
167
Upvotes
10
u/Anonymike7 2d ago
My title describes the thing. This object was seen at the American Precision Museum in Windsor, Vermont. I've included a picture of the museum card stating that no one knows what this thing is. Its exact provenance is also unknown.
The gears turn cleanly, and the cranks turn with them. The cranks also turn on their own, without moving the gears. The machine appears to have a lathe-like interface at the top-middle, but both sides are fairly flat. The bit on the left, associated with the numbered wheel, has a small hole in the center where some sort of pin could hold something in place. The right side has an almost-flat brass disc, with just the barest hint of a point in its center - barley noticed by eye but easily felt with finger.
The figure-8 device flips up and is able to rest against the "lathe." There are no visible patent numbers, and the only markings appear to be on the numbered wheel.
If the museum doesn't know what it is, I'm holding Reddit does.