✅ SOLVED Knurled Knob of Some Sort

sierraipa

Jr. Member
Jan 3, 2013
53
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South Carolina
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I found a small knurled ring with numbers from 1 through 6 around the perimeter. It looks kind like a rifle sight adjustment knob or something. But, I don't really have a clue. The location of the find was near a civil war battle, and the property had also been used as a tomato farm for some time. It appears to be brass to me. It is not magnetic. Here are some pics...

Any thoughts?

Kevin

thing1.jpgthing2.jpgthing3.jpgthing4.jpg
 

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All,

Here are update photos with the item cleaned and using a better camera. Hope that this helps. I did not include an object for size reference as that is established from the previous pics. The ones that show a whitish metal are from the camera flash. It doesn't look like this under normal light. I just wanted to show the detail clearly.

Thanks,
Kevin

ring1.jpgring2.jpgring3.jpgring4.jpgring5.jpgring6.jpg
 

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I've seen similar control knobs on outboard motors, just a guess of course, but the mixture control on the early Evinrude 2 cycle carbs were like that. :dontknow: My other guess would be part of an odometer from an old auto.
 

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Oops, sorry for spacing out the mention of it going to 6 in the original post!
Latest thoughts; well, an odometer would go to 9.
A radio knob usually wouldn't have a detent for each position, but rather a rheostat that would let you have it at 3-1/2 for example.
A sewing machine piece seems possible, for stitch width or whatever the settings are on those (but the speed would be at your foot, again with a rheostat).
I just throw these thoughts out there for consideration, as I can always be wrong.
 

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Oops, sorry for spacing out the mention of it going to 6 in the original post!
Latest thoughts; well, an odometer would go to 9.
A radio knob usually wouldn't have a detent for each position, but rather a rheostat that would let you have it at 3-1/2 for example.
A sewing machine piece seems possible, for stitch width or whatever the settings are on those (but the speed would be at your foot, again with a rheostat).
I just throw these thoughts out there for consideration, as I can always be wrong.
oops, That's right! DUH! Okay, that rules out the odometer theory. It does have the "feel" of some kind of pressure or flow adjustment control and it looks like it was keyed, most electronic knobs had set-screws. It looks familiar though. Maybe an adjustable Pop-off valve part or something. Drag control for a casting reel?
 

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I have some guesses:

A dial indicator knob for agricultural spraying equipment?

A dial indicator knob for an agricultural planter?
 

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I wouldnt throw it away just yet but the number fonts do rule out Civil War era. The latest pics are great.
 

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I have some guesses:

A dial indicator knob for agricultural spraying equipment?

A dial indicator knob for an agricultural planter?


I agree. Those indents held ball bearings. Its probly some type of pressure washer adjustment or spraying equipment. Possibly even modern.
 

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I agree, this is definitely a modern dial/knob.

My guess is this is a dial knob for agricultural spray equipment for spraying liquid herbicide, fungicide, etc. I think the part you have would have been used to adjust the flow of liquid chemical or to adjust the nozzle tip.

Most of those parts were brass to resist corrosion and moisture damage. Today, all of the nozzles that I've seen are plastic, so I'm venturing a guess that this part fell off of a 80's or 90's era sprayer. I bet losing this part ruined someone's day.
 

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It's a dial of of a small combination lock. Google 3 dial lock and you'll see what I mean. The slot inside is for the tab on the hasp to pass though. I know most of the images you'll find are numbered 0-9, but I have seen them like this one that stop at 6.
 

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NOLA,

That makes perfect sense. The orientation of the numbers, the detents, the fact that it is keyed, and the knurled rim all fall into place when you think about the combination lock. Cool man. I think that is exactly what it is. I don't suppose they are collectible. Just kidding. I really appreciate everyone weighing in on this. I am going to go ahead and mark it as solved.

HH
 

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It's a dial of of a small combination lock. Google 3 dial lock and you'll see what I mean. The slot inside is for the tab on the hasp to pass though. I know most of the images you'll find are numbered 0-9, but I have seen them like this one that stop at 6.

Well, there ya go messing up my big idea.

I left this thread thinking I was going to help the marking of green check, and that I would get 42 likes from various members showing how smart I am.

LOL.
 

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It's a dial of of a small combination lock. Google 3 dial lock and you'll see what I mean. The slot inside is for the tab on the hasp to pass though. I know most of the images you'll find are numbered 0-9, but I have seen them like this one that stop at 6.


That makes more sense and is probably the best guess so far however I cannot find an example with knurling but maybe an older version. But I give it a like. Maybe even a baggage lock that was full of money, stolen, busted open and dumped in the tomato field.


Ken images are not coming up on your link. I am using Internet Explorer. If I find any old photos, Ill send them your way.
lock baggage.jpg
 

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. Maybe even a baggage lock that was full of money, stolen, busted open and dumped in the tomato field.


Ken images are not coming up on your link. I am using Internet Explorer. If I find any old photos, Ill send them your way.

The ones I'm thinking of were cheap little bicycle locks, I remember having one when I was a kid, but knowing my family it could have been 30 years old when I got it.

BigCy, I'm not sure why the link won't work on Explorer, that's odd.
 

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The item is not likely to be old. Usually it belongs with 3-4 others of it's type. It one dial wheel on a bicycle chain/cable lock.
 

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