Solved !!! 1890s Veeder Cyclometer

[steelheadwill]

Here's something different.
7/8" X 1" X 1-1/8"
Endcap with tab and 'N' on bolt controls the 3 digit side,
Knurled endcap with '28' controls 4 digit side,
The digits rotate randomly.
First thought when full of mud was engine hour meter.
The serrated edge of number window had me thinking adding machine/register tape ripper, but the incused numbers wouldn't print.
Well here's pix of all sides, I'm leaving it to the experts here
Thanks for Looking

 

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[creskol]

Re: Brass counting machine

It may well be an old cash register counter, similar to this one only older.

 

[steelheadwill]

Re: Brass counting machine

It may well be an old cash register counter, similar to this one only older.

that looks to be the item.
Why 3 numbers after the decimal
thanks Creskol,
After seeing that image, no doubt a Green check
Also, the doublestamped 'N' for national Cash register
(this must carry a HUGE premium as a clear DDE)

 

[steelheadwill]

Re: Brass cash register counter

I wrote to a respected antique cash register dealer and collector,
Although the NCR photo Creskol posted has similar digit placement, the dealer says it's not in units of currency.
The dug item lacks any type of required cash register linkage, changing digits is accomplished only by turning the end caps. (details in OP)
As it has a nut, I am tempted to disassemble it, I no longer believe there were iron or steel parts inside, these would have rusted, expanded and probably encrusted the entire piece, not to mention locking up the works, which turn freely after rinsing out the salt mud.
I am including a photo of a 'currency unit' NCR counter also listed on Xbay.
Here is the reply:
Hello and thank you for your e-mail, this is a unique request.
I do not believe that the item that you have is related to a Cash Register.
number one: it is too small overall.
number two: the digits are not in units of currency.
I studied it carefully and can't really say what it might be,
It is not from a National Cash Register of the brass era prior to 1920.
Best of luck in tracking down your mystery.
Thanks and God Bless,
Fred.
Please visit my site on antique cash registers, Lamson Cash carriers and porcelain signs related to paint.
at Brassregisters.com

 

[aa battery]

Re: Unchecked: Brass counter mechanism

hmm maybe a bicycle odometer

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Re: Unchecked: Brass counter mechanism

Maybe a gauge from an old gas pump or and oil tanker truck?

Sorry buddy,
Dave

 

[steelheadwill]

Re: Unchecked: Brass counter mechanism

Thanks Dave and AAbattery, both good theories
Dis and reassembly complete.
A shaft or cable with gear entered bottom hole, driving the gear visible in pix 1&2,
which has a spiral cut on top that turns gear on horizontal shaft in pic 3.
(I've never seen a spiral drive like this, a worm gear seems more appropriate)
This mechanism drives both sets of number wheels, I think the 4 digit side is the total counter and the 3 digit, a resettable 'tripmeter/stopmeter'
It appears that the pawls of the ratchet mechanism are missing, (Iron?)
Possible odometer/hour meter/flow meter.

 

[clovis97]

Re: Unchecked: Brass counter mechanism

I think it is a cyclometer for a bicycle.

Here is a link:

http://books.google.com/books?id=9q...age&q=brass bicycle cyclometer veeder&f=false

 

[clovis97]

Re: Unchecked: Brass counter mechanism

Here is another link in a 1897 Sears catalog, on the right hand of page 597:

http://books.google.com/books?id=pa...#v=onepage&q=brass bicycle cyclometer&f=false

 

[steelheadwill]

Re: Unchecked: Brass counter mechanism

Thanks clovis97,
I can't get the images to come up,
but your info lead me to this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/EXCELLENT-1899-...313?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb3241a51
Very similar in design.
Love the 1899 shaft driven bicycle here, what a neat clean design http://www.auctionzip.com/Full-Image/1071741/fp136.cgi
& 'Boneshaker', too bad it's a repro :P
http://www.auctionzip.com/Full-Image/1071741/fp146.cgi
much appreciate if you could cut & post the images you found !

 

[steelheadwill]

Re: Unchecked: Brass counter mechanism

Got it ! 1890s 'Veeder' Cyclometer.
Thanks to all who replied,
Esp Clovis97
this was an interesting chase

 

[clovis97]

Will,

Both the links I posted are working for me. It does take a while for it to load, especially if you are slow dial up like I am.

I am sorry to admit that I don't know how to post a picture on the forum...let me tell you, it is awful to have been born as dumb as I am!

I found both of the links doing a google search trying to find verification. The Sears 1897 catalog shows almost a dead ringer to your cyclometer, and basically explains that the right hand side of the cyclometer is a 'trip-ometer' of sorts, and can be reset for measuring short trips, while the left hand side keeps a total mileage for the year.

The cyclometer of interest in the 1897 Sears catalog is on page 597.

FWIW, Sears has been notorious for buying brands of products, and renaming them something else. The cyclometer that the Sears catalog shows could easily be a Veeder brand, but Sears has it listed under 'US Cyclometers'.

Hope this helps!!!!

 

[steelheadwill]

Thanks again Clovis97,
don't feel bad about the computer issues, I used mine for 4 years before I learned how to Cut/copy&paste
When I try to bring up your google book image, I just get a white page with gray blocks
I would imagine it's the same item.
In the end you have another green check under your belt

 

[clovis97]

Will,

I'd love for you to see the image in the Sears 1897 catalog. It has a pretty neat description with it describing, in brief, how this particular cyclometer works.

It also shows a retail price of $1.50. If you were to see the catalog, scroll down to the furniture section. IIRC, I saw a set of 6 chairs for just $5.00. This means that your cyclometer would have been expensive in its day.

I googled "Sears catalog 1897 cyclometer" and the Google books website popped first in the list.

HTH!!!

 

[kieser sousa/rip]

My buddy just found a Veeter token or possibly an endcap for a cyclometer the other day !

 

[steelheadwill]

My buddy just found a Veeter token or possibly an endcap for a cyclometer the other day !

Great Replies!
I just discovered the Veeder Root Co is now a global supplier of counting/measuring devices, your local gas station may be using veeder counters!
The advertising slogan for the cyclometer was 'It's nice to know how far you go'
Thanks all !
http://www.veeder.com/page/vr_history

 

[clovis97]

Will, were you able to google the Sears catalog? I found it interesting, and was hoping you could see it.

 

[kieser sousa/rip]

My buddy just found a Veeter token or possibly an endcap for a cyclometer the other day !

Great Replies!
I just discovered the Veeder Root Co is now a global supplier of counting/measuring devices, your local gas station may be using veeder counters!
The advertising slogan for the cyclometer was 'It's nice to know how far you go'
Thanks all !
http://www.veeder.com/page/vr_history

One of the great things about this whole detecting thing....ya learn something new everyday.

 

[steelheadwill]

Will,

I'd love for you to see the image in the Sears 1897 catalog. It has a pretty neat description with it describing, in brief, how this particular cyclometer works.

It also shows a retail price of $1.50. If you were to see the catalog, scroll down to the furniture section. IIRC, I saw a set of 6 chairs for just $5.00. This means that your cyclometer would have been expensive in its day.

I googled "Sears catalog 1897 cyclometer" and the Google books website popped first in the list.

HTH!!!

I can't make the images appear Clovis :P
Some issue with my browser
Thanks for all the effort

 

[steelheadwill]

My buddy just found a Veeter token or possibly an endcap for a cyclometer the other day !

Greetings kieser sousa/rip,
Found an image for your friends item.
Veeder Cyclometer, different model, 5 digit, no reset. Nice old find