🔎 UNIDENTIFIED What is this painted metal piece?

[Vermont treasure hunter]

I found this a few day ago and I am trying to figure out what it is. It is cool to me a I live just one town over from Woodstock and I love finding local stuff like this. I have done some research on the guy but I can’t find much. He seemed to have owned a machine shop in Woodstock from the early 20th century to and died around 1960. The piece reads “George W. Charon Machine Shop, Welding and Water Thawing (left) TEL. 125.W (right) Woodstock, VT.” There may have been some red paint on back at one point but it is really rusted. If you could tell me what this is or a possible date that would be great. Also, is the TEL. 125.W a phone number? If it is, could that help with a date? Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

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[gillious]

125 W most likely is the phone number. I have an old calender from a local hardware that has a similar number on it.

 

[Vermont treasure hunter]

125 W most likely is the phone number. I have an old calender from a local hardware that has a similar number on it.

Thanks! Any idea what that might mean for a date?

 

[Red-Coat]

There is a George W, Charon buried in Riverside Cemetery in Woodstock VT with a date of death recorded as 1966. The date of birth from the headstone is no longer readable, even with some enhancement, except that it ends in a zero.

 

[Vermont treasure hunter]

There is a George W, Charon buried in Riverside Cemetery in Woodstock VT with a date of death recorded as 1966. The date of birth from the headstone is no longer readable, even with some enhancement, except that it ends in a zero.

View attachment 2045442

Thank you! The death date seems about right. Definitely him.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I think he was born in 1890.

 

[releventchair]

Machine shop welding and water....Something.

Might have had a similar back seperate piece and spring between to clamp notes or paper(s)?

 

[Retired Sarge]

Machine shop welding and water....Something.

Might have had a similar back seperate piece and spring between to clamp notes or paper(s)?

Looks like it reads Water Thawing.

 

[releventchair]

Looks like it reads Water Thawing.

Dog gone interesting stuff going on there.

 

[ticndig]

Water thawing is a reference to thawing a frozen underground copper or galvanized steel, water service with an ARC welder . With all his info on the piece it must be an advertising item such as a thermometer , they were very popular back in the day.

 

[hollARDog]

Water thawing is a reference to thawing a frozen underground copper or galvanized steel, water service with an ARC welder .

Sounds wild👍

 

[ticndig]

Sounds wild👍

I've thawed my share of lines over the years. now most lines are plastic and thawing with a welder is a no go.

 

[hollARDog]

Dude,sounds so damn cool. Would hate the situation of having to use that but sounds very interesting 🤘

I've thawed my share of lines over the years. now most lines are plastic and thawing with a welder is a no go.

 

[NVNutcase]

Reminds me of a Bottle Opener

 

[Vermont treasure hunter]

Thanks for all the replies! They are very helpful. I was wondering what “Water Thawing“ was so thank you! The birth date is also very helpful. I emailed the Woodstock History Center and they got back to me with some more info.
“Hi Abraham
I am not really sure what this tag went on but it certainly looks like it was mounted on something. It most likely dates to the 1940s. We have a couple of articles on him so I will have to look into it and get back to you. I believe (before I go exploring our archive) that he started as a blacksmith and then got into the machine shop business in the late 1930s and 40s. Pretty typical for guys like this. George lived for a time on Court Street in the Village of Woodstock which is right next to Mechanic Street. As the name implies, this was a hub of activity for mechanics doing various things. Fixing small motors, welding, etc. I'll keep you posted.

Nice find.“

 

[Vermont treasure hunter]

Reminds me of a Bottle Opener

That was my first thought when I found it, but I think it would be too thin. Also, then what would the holes be for.

 

[hollARDog]

Early clip board for shop tickets/work orders

 

[Vermont treasure hunter]

Early clip board for shop tickets/work orders

How do you mean?

 

[invent4hir]

Per the 1930 U.S. Census on FamilySearch there is a George Charon in Woodstock Village with an occupation of Machinist and blacksmith shop as an industry. Here is the link. This is consistent w/ what the history center said. That is associated with a George William Charon born on 5 January 1890.

 

[hollARDog]

The clip off the top of a clip board. I've had all different shape and sizes giving to me at the shop from tool and parts vendors. Just a quick example below to show ya what I'm thinking.

How do you mean?