A pair of Whoosy Doosies! ???

[Diggincoinz]

Whoosey Doosies, unless you've got something better to call them?

Mom is clearing stuff out after my step-father passed away last month. Found
these in a corner of the garage and she's going to trash them. But I said to
hold on and yard sale them first and that I'd try to find out what they are.

Where did he get them from? Dunno, he used to be a draftsman for a local
archtitect firm in PA. Is it related? Or could they be from his parents farm? Hmmm...

They have a long metal extension that locks into place standing upright but
folds down to open the top of the container. I think the bottom of the container
works like a sifter but not sure. Here's a few cell phone pics of them...

 

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[Montana Jim]

I'm looking for antique fertilizer spreaders... thats what crossed my mind. Poles hold them at length and the "sifter" spreads the product?

 

[trikikiwi]

I'm looking for antique fertilizer spreaders... thats what crossed my mid. Poles holt them at length and the "sifter" spreads the product?

At arm's length? a herbicide 'duster' maybe?

Whatever - to me, they are very interesting. I would like to see a photo of the underneath, please

Mike

 

[Diggincoinz]

I knew I should've got a bottom shot, that'll have to wait until this weekend for another photo...

 

[newbieprospector]

No clue really, but just some thoughts...the hook only appears to latch on lid when the bucket/pot is off the ground...long handle perhaps because a heat source was involved...the bucket looks like some of the old milk buckets...step-father from a farm....which leads me to wonder if these had something to do with pasteurizing milk over a wood fire (latch to keep ashes out when being heated and latch released to stop build up of pressure when removed from heat)
Looking forward to the pics of the bottom, if the bottom is truly a sifter of some sort, I think I'd have to agree with Montana

 

[olegoat]

anything new on these? most unusual item. i would like to know what
something like that was used for

 

[wesfrye53]

It appears the latch unlocks the lid when the container is set down. Is there a hole in the handle of the cover that a cord could be attached to?

What I'm thinking is a crude "sampler" of water below the surface and near the bottom. Lower the container to the bottom, the latch unlocks the cover, pull on the cord to open the lid, the container fills with water, lift the container up with it full (the lid would likely close) and you have a sample of bottom water.

Just a thought from a Civil Engineer with not much to do on an Saturday evening.

 

[Diggincoinz]

I'll be back over to Mom's on Sunday, I'll try to dig them out of the garage and get that bottom side pic taken.

 

[trusty]

Are you anywhere around orange groves? Could those things be "smudge pots"? Used for making smoke to protect against frost. Maybe they are turned 180deg & the rods that are on the top in the pic are actually stakes.

 

[ghost_rider]

They looks almost like an assembly line smelting pot, however there is lack of use if they were used over a fire as they should show some discoloration from use.

These would have hung along a line where several of them were assembled, as the line moved these could be pulled and opened to dump what might be inside. Given that there is no discoloration I would exclude the use of fire and would lean more towards some type of mine equipment.

When you go back for the other photos please check the piece extensively for any type of mark or date!!! This may give a better clue if located

 

[trikikiwi]

I'll be back over to Mom's on Sunday, I'll try to dig them out of the garage and get that bottom side pic taken.

I'm looking forward to seeing the pics
Cheers, Mike

 

[DCMatt]

I'll be back over to Mom's on Sunday, I'll try to dig them out of the garage and get that bottom side pic taken.

I'm looking forward to seeing the pics
Cheers, Mike

I'm with Mike. I'd like to see more pics. Especially of the bottom. This is a tough one...

What does the top end of the rod look like? A hook? Threaded?

They don't look like they got much use. Not much wear or many dings. Just some surface rust.

Was your stepfather a hunter? I'm wondering if these are game feeders (deer or turkey). Fill them with grain and hang them in a tree to bring the game close to your blind...

Just guessing. Need more info.

DCMatt

 

[olegoat]

bump-

anything new on these items?

 

[texan connection]

I belive wesfry's got it, a sampler for liquid from a vat , pond ,cease pool, or Bulk oil storage container Like in the oilf field, does the handle have a way to attach to a rope?

 

[Diggincoinz]

... Sorry guys, Mom has it burried in her garage, I can't get to it until she cleans it out. But I won't forget about it.

Chris

 

[Monty]

I remember seeing pictures of kids carrying beer to railroad workers , one container on either end of a pole slung over the shoulder. Does the handle have any kind of loop on the tips that would fit over a pole? The "sifter" could have been to prevent foaming and running over the lids. M nty

 

[Diggincoinz]

From what I recall the "handles" were long iron pipes, one has a fitting on it as if to add more pipe to it.

 

[Monty]

I doubt they are beer buckets (wishful thinking). Just reminded me of pictures I'd seen. Monty

 

[Fast_Dave]

I think I'll go with a centrifugal cream extractor. You add the milk, fasten down the lid and swing it around your head like Conan the Barbarian on a rampage until the cream separates out. As an added benefit, you build so much muscle swinging those iron pipes that you can change a tractor tire without using a jack.
Seriously, I find myself wondering why iron pipes? Wood is so much cheaper, easier to shape and lighter that you have to figure there's a reason to use metal. That could mean exposure to fire or extreme weight of contents or perhaps extreme stress. Let's explore the smelting pot theory. Most foundry equipment I've seen has been made of very heavy duty thick metal. These appear to be made from galvanized tin. Also, as many have pointed out, there is no discoloration of the metal as there would be if it were exposed to heat. And lastly, the hole in the top is quite small compared to the diameter of the container. I just can't accept that these have something to do with melting metal.
The second question I ask myself is why the latch can only be fastened when the can is off the ground? Or perhaps the question is why does it open when it touches the ground? The other theory that's been advanced is a sludge or slurry sampler that open when it hits bottom. That would explain the latch. It might also explain why iron pipe was used. Not only is it strong enough to stand the strain of forcing an air filled container under the surface, but the added weight would make it easier to hold it down. Also, please look at where the handles attach to the container, down below the vertical midline. That type of attachment would solve the problem of the container turning upside down if it was pushed under the surface of a liquid. If the only use for the handle was to carry the container, it would attach near the top to prevent possible spilling. I guess the only problem I would have with the sludge sampler theory is that the lid clearly couldn't open completely with the handle in the vertical position, but maybe that isn't a big deal. Or maybe that's part of the design, since it keeps the lid from popping completely open and would make sure it closed again once the container was full. So for my two cents worth, I'd go along with Wesfrye53

 

[trikikiwi]

I'm still really curious about this pair of pots. I don't think we ever conclusively ID'd them, so I'm bumping them back up on the chance a newbie might know what they are. I'm also hoping Diggincoinz (I have PM'd him) can organize more pics including some of the bases of the pots.

Mike