What is it?

[dalez 146]

I’ve hand this kicking around my garage for a long time and never gave it a second. Always thought it was an old kitchen stove part. Last night I took a better look at it and believe I figured out what it is. I am putting it out here to see if I’m right.

[ebinmaine 77,963]

3 minutes ago, dalez said:

I figured out what it is

 

That's a ruler. Specifically a yardstick. 

 

 

 

OK.. and I dunno what the other thing is.  

[SylvanLakeWH 30,910]

Telephone dart... used to play the telephone game back before lawyers... 

 

Discontinued after a few too many head punctures...

 

 

[8ntruck 8,700]

Wrong @ebinmaine.  It is a blue plastic tray - similar to cafeteria trays.

 

Oh.  The rusty thing - maybe a portable boot scraper.  Stick the pointy end in the ground and use the flat side to scrape your boot.

 

Maybe a marlin spike thingy to help linemen with splices?

Edited yesterday at 12:03 AM by 8ntruck

[WHX?? 55,787]

in other words no idea. The telephone has gotta be a clue. 

[Handy Don 16,102]

For pulling telephone wires? Tie a light pull string to it and throw at a pole then pull the wire up with the string?

[8ntruck 8,700]

48 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

in other words no idea. The telephone has gotta be a clue. 

Googling telephone troy ny 184 leads to a telephone exchange location and current area code.

[Easton Rich 1,093]

Its a WWII era missile that apparently was a dud. This is clearly a very dangerous item that would be very valuable to the right person on pawn stars

[JoeM 9,704]

When driven into  a pole, the end with the three notches is used as a separator to run multi lines so the tech could clip in easily.

Sounds like a good like of BS. lol

[ebinmaine 77,963]

The tele number likely isn't to do with WHAT it does but where it was cast

[Racinbob 12,878]

I just did an identification search. It uses AI so it must be right. It's 76% certain that it's a soft plastic grub bait. 

[Darb1964 1,159]

 

I want the gun that shoots it.

[Pullstart 69,430]

A man’s hair brush and tooth pick?

[953 nut 64,814]

I'm going with it being an ICE PICK advertising promotional that would be handed out at the County Fair or other large gatherings in Troy NY.

            Don't think it would have been given out at the airport, TSA would say that is a no no.            

[Wayne0 1,543]

I'm late to the party, but it's an Ice pick as @953 nut says.

[dalez 146]

Now my guess was a climbing tool. One in each hand and shimmy up the pole. But now I am doubting myself.

[Treepep 1,098]

Left handed oyster shucker All day

 

Broken fireplace pick?  Repurposed as a tooth pick

Edited yesterday at 03:50 PM by Treepep
spelling

[dalez 146]

Here’s the other side but googling it got me nowhere.

[TractorEd 669]

Given the businesses mentioned and its unique design, this is an antique ice pick or ice chipper, specifically a promotional one for an ice company.

 

Identity & Function

The "cage" handle is a practical design for an ice tool. It is often referred to as a "cool handle" or spring handle, designed to provide a secure grip even when your hands or the tool are wet and cold, while also dissipating the chill so the metal doesn't freeze to your hand.

• B. Cooper & Co. / Bond & Turney: These names confirm its use. B. Cooper and G. F. Bond were partners in the B. Cooper Ice Company of Troy, NY. They harvested natural ice from the Hudson River and local lakes, delivering it to residents for their "iceboxes" before electric refrigeration existed.
• Telephone 784: This was the direct line to the ice house to request a delivery.
• The Pointed Tip: Used to chip off specific-sized blocks of ice from a larger slab to fit a home icebox.

 

Why the Unusual Shape?

The scalloped, fan-like end (where the business names are stamped) likely doubled as a scraper or a small cleaver for smoothing the surface of an ice block or breaking off chunks, making it a "multi-tool" for the ice man or homeowner.

Edited 23 hours ago by TractorEd

[953 nut 64,814]

6 hours ago, TractorEd said:

Given the businesses mentioned and its unique design, this is an antique ice pick or ice chipper, specifically a promotional one for an ice company.

 

Identity & Function

The "cage" handle is a practical design for an ice tool. It is often referred to as a "cool handle" or spring handle, designed to provide a secure grip even when your hands or the tool are wet and cold, while also dissipating the chill so the metal doesn't freeze to your hand.

• B. Cooper & Co. / Bond & Turney: These names confirm its use. B. Cooper and G. F. Bond were partners in the B. Cooper Ice Company of Troy, NY. They harvested natural ice from the Hudson River and local lakes, delivering it to residents for their "iceboxes" before electric refrigeration existed.
• Telephone 784: This was the direct line to the ice house to request a delivery.
• The Pointed Tip: Used to chip off specific-sized blocks of ice from a larger slab to fit a home icebox.

 

Why the Unusual Shape?

The scalloped, fan-like end (where the business names are stamped) likely doubled as a scraper or a small cleaver for smoothing the surface of an ice block or breaking off chunks, making it a "multi-tool" for the ice man or homeowner.

Either you have done a great deal of through research or you are one of the best BS artists on Red Square.              I'm very impressed, but then again I'm easily impressed.

[TractorEd 669]

Some additional info:

 

B. Cooper Ice Co. operated during the early 1900’s with records connecting them to the ice industry in 1917.

 

The dissolution of the B. Cooper Ice & Coal Co. (I guess they worked in the coal industry, too) occurred on November 1, 1934.

 

In any matter,  I think that’s a neat piece of history and would hang on to it.  Cherish it even.
 

Don’t Bank On This Part:

I’m guessing here, but the ST 5 under Bond & Turney, may mean 5th Street (which is now 105th St).  The ice company building was located on “Shaughnessy Square” between 105th & 106th Streets (originally 5th & 6th Streets) and 2nd & 3rd Avenues in Troy, NY.  That area is actually triangular in shape.

 

Edited 13 hours ago by TractorEd

[TractorEd 669]

3 hours ago, 953 nut said:

Either you have done a great deal of through research or you are one of the best BS artists on Red Square.              I'm very impressed, but then again I'm easily impressed.

Google and AI!  The speed in which data can be gathered today is incredible.

 

And you nailed it with your guess on what it was with spectacular accuracy!

 

Edited 13 hours ago by TractorEd

[TractorEd 669]

During the early 1900s, 

Bond & Turney

 was a retail business located in Troy, New York. Specifically, historical records from roughly 1900 to 1910 identify them as dealers in grocery and provisions. 

 

Historical Context & Details

• Business Type: They were primarily known as a grocery store, providing essential food supplies and "provisions" to the local community.
• Location: While specific street addresses from that exact decade can vary as businesses moved, they operated within the dense commercial district of Troy, which was then the fourth-wealthiest city in America due to its industrial boom.

Edited 3 hours ago by TractorEd

[Handy Don 16,102]

37 minutes ago, TractorEd said:

Troy...then the fourth-wealthiest city in America due to its industrial boom.

Home to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (aka RPI), still going strong as the oldest technological university in the English-speaking world and in the Western Hemisphere.

And they have a hockey team!

[953 nut 64,814]

11 hours ago, TractorEd said:

Some additional info:

Troy was one of New York States industrial and commercial powerhouses at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Situated at the top of the navigable portion of the Hudson River, it served as a critical trade hub connected to the Erie and Champlain Canals.

Known for textile production and heavy industry, including iron, steel, bells, and textiles, it rivaled Pittsburgh in steel production. The city produced iron for the Civil War ironclad ship, the USS Monitor.

In addition to steel products, Troy played a major role in the fashion industry, The Collar City: In the 19th century, Troy became the center of the American detachable collar and cuff industry, producing nearly all of them in the U.S. at its peak.

Have you heard of “Uncle Sam?” During the War of 1812, Troy meatpacker Samuel Wilson (known as "Uncle Sam") supplied rations to the U.S. Army, leading to the nickname for the nation's symbol.

Troy’s most lasting claim to fame is being the “Birthplace of Technology Education.”  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)the oldest engineering school in the U.S., was established in Troy, NY, in 1824.

@Handy Don got in there while I was hunt and peck typing.       

Edited 2 hours ago by 953 nut