Anybody ever seen one?

[Paleopilot]

Hoping some one can tell me what this thing was for...It has two brass valve handles, the rest is steel, the rod is 26" long and appears to be how it was mounted. There are screw threads on the end. The clamp things on the valve end are made to clamp onto something about 1-1/2" in dia. Weird tool to be sure.

 

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[Broken knee]

I wonder if it is an old jig for plumbing assembly? valve handle locations?HH
Broken Knee

 

[clovis97]

Cool...

If one of the excellent folks here can't identify it, try papawswrench.com. A smaller group there, but it the stuff they can identify is amazing.

 

[Lafitte Deux]

Look like an old pipe hanging clamp, the kind that would screw into a joist.
The clamps could be for easy connection/removal if it is a temporary install.

 

[Paleopilot]

I wonder if it is an old jig for plumbing assembly? valve handle locations?HH
Broken Knee

I had the same thoughts at first, but the valves would not be necessary. They are working valves, the ports open and close. How they ever got them to 'seal' is a mystery also.

 

[Broken knee]

Well how about looking at it like this, it's obvious it's some type of inline fluid valve but for what Hope you don't mind my bucket drawing. Proably farm or factory in use? HH
Broken Knee Is it my I or are the pipe Diameters difrent in size?

 

[AU Seeker]

I think it maybe an aftermarket device for the DIYers similar to a saddle valve, and was use for tapping into existing water lines to add possibly another bathroom, etc.

It definitely seems to work like a saddle valve, it probably had a rubber or leather strip to seal inside the radius of the clamp portion.

 

[Paleopilot]

Well how about looking at it like this, it's obvious it's some type of inline fluid valve but for what Hope you don't mind my bucket drawing. Proably farm or factory in use? HH
Broken Knee Is it my I or are the pipe Diameters difrent in size?

Very good observation! I didn't pay attention to the clamp sizes. One IS smaller, it would accommodate a 3/4" pipe. Also I noticed something was made to latch into this thing, it's notched on one side and "forked" on the other, like a threaded bolt could be swiveled up over it. I don't get the 26" wood screw mount though.

 

[Broken knee]

Not for nothing, but where did you find it? HH
BK

 

[Paleopilot]

Not for nothing, but where did you find it? HH
BK

We were attending an Estate auction down in Nebraska, I was hoping to buy some antique black powder guns. This thing and some old tools were in a box together. They could have been 'for' anything as the previous owner had a little of everything! Most of the accompanying tools were farm related. It was suggested at one time by a friend, that maybe it was for one of those "old timey" acetylene generators, you mix calcium carbide with water and generate acetylene gas, the other line would supply the oxygen. "early oxy/acetylene torch"

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I go with Broken Knee and AU Seeker. My guess its a hanging hot and cold water pipe tap. Maybe to drain the lines. The 26 inch wood screw would be to hang from a joist (guessing)

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

The 2 different sizes may mean something besides water... maybe refrigeration. I would agree some kind of fluid pipe tap.

 

[Paleopilot]

The 2 different sizes may mean something besides water... maybe refrigeration. I would agree some kind of fluid pipe tap.

Two sizes and the fact that it connects to something makes me wonder about a "mixing" apparatus of some sort. The brass handles are indicative of 20s or 30s era hardware. I was hoping for a quick ID on this one but, looks like maybe a "not too common" item. I really appreciate the help though.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Two sizes and the fact that it connects to something makes me wonder about a "mixing" apparatus of some sort. The brass handles are indicative of 20s or 30s era hardware. I was hoping for a quick ID on this one but, looks like maybe a "not too common" item. I really appreciate the help though.

It doesnt appear to be a mixing apparatus. It has two separate openings tapped into 2 separate pipes..

I wish we had markings or patent numbers. Did you search carefully for markings?.

 

[BadAdze]

With the type of work i am trained to do it makes me think of some type of early attempt of Laproscopic surgery instruments. With these types of instruments air is introduced and fluids are used to irrigate, and possibly suction. I amy be way off , but it was a thought.

 

[Broken knee]

It may have been suspended over a large mixing vat supplying different ingredients chemicals to mix?
Until someone Id's it I/were just guessing? HH
BK

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Yes Im just guessing but I would search early Ammonia refrigerant piping hangers for 3 reasons. The dateline fits, the different sized piping used together, and ferrous metal is used with Ammonia.

It definitely seems to clamp and tap into 2 different sized pipes running close together. This is how I visualize it. The red representing pipes. Its a hanger and tap for a very special application.



Are the bottom holes tapped or does it just release to the air?

 

[Broken knee]

Good rendition Bigcy, I was going to try drawing them but my photo shop skills aren't that good. It's not a conventional saddle valve as it appears there are no points to pierce the pipe I guess what I'm saying the pipe would have to be drilled Pryor to it being installed not under pressure? As for refrigerant I would agree only if taped? I would lean towards it being farm related possibly spreading fertilizer in one pipe and water in the other? There again Just a guess. HH
BK

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Yes I agree it may not have a point to pierce but I cant see it for sure. Just throwing out guesses to get the conversation going. Hard to ID from a pic. I think the only thing for sure, its made to clamp to a pipe or 2 pipes. Maybe its not for 2 pipes but it may be made just to fit different sizes.

Paleopilot, how far do the handles turn? Is there a tapping point? Are there threads in the holes underneath?

Farm related is a possibility...some kind of dispenser? How small are the port holes?

 

[Paleopilot]

Yes I agree it may not have a point to pierce but I cant see it for sure. Just throwing out guesses to get the conversation going. Hard to ID from a pic. I think the only thing for sure, its made to clamp to a pipe or 2 pipes. Maybe its not for 2 pipes but it may be made just to fit different sizes.

Paleopilot, how far do the handles turn? Is there a tapping point? Are there threads in the holes underneath?

Farm related is a possibility...some kind of dispenser? How small are the port holes?

No tapping points, and have to rule out ammonia as it would not work with the brass. I think the key here is the fact that it is made to join with another part. I think the clamp side of the valve openings are the "out" side because of the "sealing" question. Also in my searches, I'm finding "like" valve handles that go back to the late 1800s, might be much older than I originally thought. The ports are 1/4", not threaded and the handles will rotate 360 deg.