Unusual object. Clamp? What?

[dg39]

While going through some estate items given to the museum I came across this item. It is about 5 inches long as shown in scan. It is obviously what is known as new-old-stock from an old hardware store. It was in a cardboard box that just turned to dust when I opened it, so I know it is very old. There is a strip of black felt attached to the screw and bolt that go through it. The dust you see is from the remains of the box.. No directions No markings what-so-ever on item. It is painted black. The widest part is one inch, the smallest part is 1/2 inch. Anyone have a clue?

 

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[dg39]

I think everyone is close it's a holder of some type for a car. There were a lot of automotive related items in the box.

 

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[Terry In Florida]

Maybe some type of holder for a cb mic? It has a spot for the piece on the back of the mic to slide into as a holder... Just a guess...

 

[dg39]

Its way before the CB era. More 1920's to 40's. I do know that much. The store it was in closed in the 1950's I was told.

 

[DigEmAll]

For holding the little ball on the old whip antennas. Folds the antenna over from the front to the back of the car and keeps it from whacking things overhead. Think MAYBERRY.

 

[dg39]

Now I'm going to show my maturity again. I remember those whip antennas and they had a simple v, upside down attachment for the tip of the antenna just to hook under. Normally screwed at front of the passenger window.
As a teenager I noticed that detail for some reason in the 1950's.

 

[dg39]

I think we need to place ourselves in the 20's to the 40's to solve this one.Think big heavy gage metal cars, not the beer can cars of today. **** Think fenders you can hit with your fist and break your hand. Not thump with your finger and do $500.00 worth of damage.****

 

[dg39]

I just went out to the garage. It fits on several places on my 53 MG-TD... Fenders, front and back. I now know what it is. doc you probably have guessed by now also. Lets see if anyone else can tell us "what fits in it" Thats the clue.
Also I pieced together what was left of the cardboard box it was made by a company called, "ANNIN"
I had the advantage of holding, testing and looking more closely at the item, It just dawned on me what it was.

 

[Michelle]

another good call Doc! whip antenea holder is that what it is? NOT!!!!

 

[Michelle]

cool, read back and must have missed it.....things kind a stretch out on these posts after awhile....good call someone!

 

[dg39]

Read back Michelle, it's for mounting something like plate on a fender like displaying a number at a Gran Concourse where they judge Classic Cars. Reply #36

Doc

BuZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Nope. ---------FLAG HOLDER.......Look at the top...Flag fits right in. Once I mounted it , everything fell in place so to speak..

 

[Michelle]

Annin ,that's who makes em....I did look that up.......cool ...The flag slips into the hole at the top of the flat piece....nice...and usable

 

[Michelle]

O.K. please post picture.'m having trouble visualizing it.

Doc

 

[Michelle]

Doc, this is so far the only pic I can find....This bracket could go on the tag...bumper or even somewhere else "flat"...for all I know....

 

[nhbenz]

Perhaps a speaker holder for a drive-in theater? (Exploratory thought) ...seems like something would be temporarily clipped into the slot in the top section. Realistcally, it would seem only logical that that this was something much more common if came from an old hardware store.

 

[DigEmAll]

That's a very good thought. Why the offset?

Doc

Clamps below the hood to the radiator support and then comes out from under the hood where it meets the grill housing.  Keeps things clean looking.

The bracket wouldn't protrude past the front of the car; keeps you from running into it.  It mounts in line with the car, front to back, pointing toward the front.  The widened area in the slot allows the ball to stick into the slot and then slide toward the back in the narrow portion.  The felt keeps the bracket from digging into the metal and causing a rust hazard from vibration eating the paint off the car under the bracket.

At least that is how I visualize it.  I could and probably am well off target here, but maybe it'll give someone an idea.


I realize that Annin is a flag maker, but I just don't see this bracket as being heavy enough to support a flag while driving.  Also after really looking at it closely, what is to keep the flag from falling over in the bracket?  If mounted on the front of the car, the bracket would bend under the wind stress produced by the flag.  If mounted on the side, the flag would fold over sideways in the bracket.

That slot is widened for some reason.  It anyone has looked at a MODERN throttle cable on a carb, you will understand what I mean about this slot.  Something IS meant to clip into this slot. 

A couple other observations: 

The nut is meant to be semi-blind.  Meaning that it is designed to be able to install with onlt a screwdriver without the need for a wrench on the nut.

The bracket is lined with felt to keep it from abrading the paint, chrome, or glass.  (or whatever it mounts onto)

It appears to be made for light-duty use.

It would appear to have been used in a in-line fashion (pull or support length wise of the bracket)

The screw would have needed a hole in the surface to "clamp" the bracket, other wise it would just pinch and wouldn't have been very sturdy. 

A hole would also mean this is a semi-permanent mount.

 

[Michelle]

Of course you're right. Our problem is that in order to go a painted surface it has to be cushioned and then screwed securely, I am assuming the other end holds something flat. A semi-permanent end and a temporary clip end. That's how I see it. This will be good when we finally get to see our double clip in action. Maybe DG will take a picture of it on his sports car.

Doc

" There is a strip of black felt attached to the screw and bolt that go through it." the brass screw "bolt" is there to tighten the vice like bracket...to soften the metal to metal there is a cushion of felt between the two vices....Am I right dg? I f not could you please take a picture of your car with this thing & a flag in it...? the flag slides into the holes on top and is held there by the vice also.....guessing!