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From Mike Jenkins' collection
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1430. A bee hive or bee gum, the two notches are doors and the rods in the center are for support. From this site:
Honey was not the only reward for cutting a bee tree. The hunter could also claim the bees. They were kept in home-made structures called gums, made by cutting 3-4 foot sections from hollow sweet-gum logs (or some other type of wood), burning the interior until the surface was slick, cutting one or two small inverted V’s in the bottom as passageways for the bees, and covering the slanted top with a rough plank roof. A cross piece was nailed in the middle for the bees to fasten their comb to.
1431. Possibly for locking a gate or corral, a padlock or cotter pin could be placed in the small holes; also someone has suggested that it was for locking a water pump.
1432. A brew master's locking tap, used to keep others from stealing beer from the keg.
1433. A special bearing for a power tool, it's bolted to an electric motor and the rod is placed in a slot where it oscillates rapidly up and down and drives the blade for a jig-saw or similar equipment. It converts rotating motion to up and down motion.
1434. A lunchbox with a lantern, used for lighting the way when walking to the factory or mine before sunrise. The lantern was also used to warm the food in the container above it.
Update
Over four years ago I posted this unidentified item, and just last month I finally found out what it is.
It's an unusual key for a Detex watchman's clock. Thanks to Dave for sending the answer along with these photos.
The outside of the box:
To submit photos, send them to the address in my profile.
Last week's set is seen below, click here to view the entire post:
Black Ops Pro Tips
More discussion and comments on these photos can be found at the newsgroup rec.puzzles.
