antique what is it

[cellerfeller]

This item was loaned to me a year ago. I have no idea what it is. I submitted photos to College of Curiosities but no id. I also showed photos to local antique dealers with no luck.
It looks like some kind of weaving board or loom but the metal strips are so close to the board it is hard to imagine how any weaving could proceed. The object is 15" X 9" with 59 U shaped pins located top and bottom. Removable metal rods slide through the pins and hold down 32 narrow, thin metal strips that can be pulled out and placed along the board. The back boards are secured with iron slot screws. The piece was found in an very old home that was being renovated. The family would like to know what it is. If we can solve this one I will pass the info on to Jeff Wagg at C.of C. to add to their database.

 

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[Anduril]

It reminds me of one of those desktop holders (binders) for a bunch of catalogs.
Sort of like something you might see on the counter of NAPA auto parts, back in the day.
I'm sure it's all computerized now.

My guess is probably wrong?
Let's see what others think.

 

[Reanm8er]

Perhaps it's something used as a musical instrument for a jug band or to make a sound effect for a radio show. Maybe IDing the previous owners and their occupations might help. You should be able to get the names from the clerk's office in your local court house. You can then go to Ancestry.com to view they're occupations.

Best wishes!

 

[Joe-Dirt]

I like all the responses so far, but to me maybe a homemade of crude type setting device? I dunno, it’s a head scratcher

 

[Reanm8er]

I just had this flash!

I believe it's for making ruled paper out of a plane sheet. You arrange the slats for the spacing you want. You slide a piece of paper into it under the slats and trace along the lines. It can handle up to 8.5" x 14" legal size.

 

[Reanm8er]

This could have been a tool for creating the first "Formatted Documents"? It would be interesting to see if the spacing would compare with the spacing on an early typewriter?

 

[DCMatt]

What kind of metal are the strips? I see they are not rusty like the brads and the long wire. The strips appear to be machine made.

I don't get the impression that this is a hand made device, therefore I don't get the impression that it's much more than 100 years old.

What kind of cottage industry was in the area 100 years ago?

Any staining or wear marks?

My gut feeling is that it is made to make or keep something flat, but I'm only guessing...

May we see the back/underside?

 

[Finder Bear]

I just had this flash!

I believe it's for making ruled paper out of a plane sheet. You arrange the slats for the spacing you want. You slide a piece of paper into it under the slats and trace along the lines. It can handle up to 8.5" x 14" legal size.

That’s a great guess!

 

[jtw1313]

Quick guess maybe a part to inside of piano or organ?

 

[yaxthri]

Intriguing find...

 

[yaxthri]

Fantastic idea but I think the spaces are too close to oneanother for writting... or maybe in old times they used to be so close?

I just had this flash!

I believe it's for making ruled paper out of a plane sheet. You arrange the slats for the spacing you want. You slide a piece of paper into it under the slats and trace along the lines. It can handle up to 8.5" x 14" legal size.

 

[DCMatt]

I just had this flash!

I believe it's for making ruled paper out of a plane sheet. You arrange the slats for the spacing you want. You slide a piece of paper into it under the slats and trace along the lines. It can handle up to 8.5" x 14" legal size.

If it had been used like this there would be lots and lots of marks on the edge of the board... I don't see any marks or stains or anything to help determine it's function.

 

[Reanm8er]

I don't think the spacing is an issue because you can rearrange or leave them out as you see fit. I believe this probably pre-dates the ball point pen. I don't think you could use it with a liquid ink process, but would have to be used with pencil. The strips look like blued steel and wouldn't show wear from the contact with a pencil. I expect if it was used this way, you'd have to use a No3 or else the lines would smudge. I envision al ruled sheet that kids could use to practice their alphabet, numbers etc.

It does look like there would be evidence of graphite staining on the backboard. Perhaps this is early evidence of things don't always work as billed in the Sears catalog. Early Ron Popiel, pre Vegamatic, LOL!

Thanks for reading!