Can Anyone Here Identify These Two Items?

[Ed Bass]

I recently purchased an old car and these were in a box tucked away in the trunk. They look vaguely familiar, (probably seen some in an antique store before) but I just can't place them.
Your thoughts?
Ed Bass
Hotel Central, Milwaukee
"We're all together"

 

[RBH]

Part of a old horse collar.

 

[LizzieMaine]

They're called "hames" to be exact. Whenever you see a cartoon image of a horse from the Era, as in a comic strip or in animation, you'll see two sticks with balls on the end poking up from behind their collar -- these are the real-world version of those.

 

[Ed Bass]

You guys are smarter than Bill Nye the Science Guy.

 

[hatsRme]

This could be it's own thread...!

How about these two doo-das?


They were in the pile when my folks moved from the family home of a couple of generations, and by the time I spotted them, Dad had passed away so there was nobody to ask. I worked for a major manufacturer of tools here in the States back in the 80s and 90s, and showed them around to all the older folks, engineers, and anyone else I thought would have an idea, but to no avail. Then a friend who had seen them when I first came upon them saw them in use in a Laurel and Hardy classic. That's the only hint I'll offer, and of course I'll answer questions. Imagine my delight to have gotten to the bottom of this mind-bender after only about 5 - 10 years.

Y'all are going to laugh AFTER the initial "Ohhh, yeah..."

 

[LizzieMaine]

That looks some kind of hub puller.

 

[hatsRme]

That has been the most often heard first guess, Lizzie, including my own. But, no. Now I'm trying to decide when we've had enough guesses, and when to come clean on this... Hoping to find a photograph of them in use, but nothing yet. That may be because I don't know if they had a standard name, or if my descriptive search words aren't right yet.

 

[HudsonHawk]

Looks like some kind of punch for a curved surface.

 

[ingineer]

Wow that's a corker of a question.
Don't leave us in suspense

 

[hatsRme]

Still searching for a picture....

 

[hatsRme]

Okay, it's time to reveal everything I know, which won't take long. I believe these doo-das to be empty barrel carrying handles. The little "plunger-like" things are spring-loaded, to contract, then expand again when pushed into the bunghole on the side of a barrel. A late friend was the one who was astute enough to notice the scene where similar devices were used in a Laurel and Hardy classic, and called me immediately when he knew he had solved the mystery. Now, I need to review all the Laurel and Hardy flicks to find the sequence where Ollie orders Stan to move a couple of empty barrels. Stan then took hold of a similar pair of the doo-das shown above, pushed them into the side bunghole of each barrel, and off he went.

If the L & H scene sounds familiar to anyone, please, if you recall, let us know which film!

 

[2jakes]

Okay, it's time to reveal everything I know, which won't take long. I believe these doo-das to be empty barrel carrying handles. The little "plunger-like" things are spring-loaded, to contract, then expand again when pushed into the bunghole on the side of a barrel. A late friend was the one who was astute enough to notice the scene where similar devices were used in a Laurel and Hardy classic, and called me immediately when he knew he had solved the mystery. Now, I need to review all the Laurel and Hardy flicks to find the sequence where Ollie orders Stan to move a couple of empty barrels. Stan then took hold of a similar pair of the doo-das shown above, pushed them into the side bunghole of each barrel, and off he went.

If the L & H scene sounds familiar to anyone, please, if you recall, let us know which film!

It would be difficult to carry a barrel even if empty with those things that you call "empty barrel carrying handles”
The knobs probably indicates there must’ve been another purpose.

Here’s some images of wooden barrel butter churns. Note the doo-dads in the middle. Looks like they were meant to
keep the top lid sealed when rotating the butter barrel. There are many variations .

This is just my guess. I’m probably way off...
I Hope you find the Laurel & Hardy flick.
They are my favorite comedies from that era.

Good Luck !

 

[hatsRme]

Important to note that they were popped into a bunghole on the SIDE of the barrel when in use. I'm off to find a barrel now... it's important!

 

[ingineer]

Nobody?
OK my wild ... guess
Here is modern bottle capper head for automated machinery:

 

[hatsRme]

It would be difficult to carry a barrel even if empty with those things that you call "empty barrel carrying handles”
The knobs probably indicates there must’ve been another purpose. I’m probably way off...
I Hope you find the Laurel & Hardy flick.

Well, as follow up, here are a few photos of the Doo-das in use in a plastic barrel with a standard size bunghole on top, which was fine for our demonstration...


I could make a Youtube vid as well...

 

[1mach1]

Well, as follow up, here are a few photos of the Doo-das in use in a plastic barrel with a standard size bunghole on top, which was fine for our demonstration...

I could make a Youtube vid as well...

Great pics Charlie! With pug and shirt color coded to the barrel.

 

[2jakes]

Well, as follow up, here are a few photos of the Doo-das in use in a plastic barrel with a standard size bunghole on top, which was fine for our demonstration...
View attachment 34087 View attachment 34088 View attachment 34089 View attachment 34090 View attachment 34091


I could make a Youtube vid as well...

Great idea & I’m glad you found out what the doo-das were used for.
But I would think a dolly or rolling the barrel would’ve been more practical or easier to handle.

 

[hatsRme]

I still want to find what movie they were used in.

 

[2jakes]

I still want to find what movie they were used in.

Youtube would be a good start.

There’s some early silent shorts by Laurel & Hardy.

If I see something I’ll let you know.

Do you know if there are forums for antique or vintage tools ?

Post the images. There’s got to be someone out there with similar items.

Edit :

I just found out . There is a Laurel & Hardy Forum.

I would think there are fans that could help.

 

[hatsRme]

Thank you kindly, 2jakes. I went and found the L&H Forum, which was an excellent idea and suggestion. When time permits I will sign onto that forum and hope someone will simply know the answer. Stay tuned...