Anyone know what this is?

[Hawks Feather]

My grandfather, who passed away many years ago, had this hanging on the wall in his garage.  Since it looked like something "gun" related I ended up with it.  I have no idea what it is and am wondering if anyone here does.  It has two openings which would allow you to insert a .22 cartridge (no I didn't try, nor do I plan to try to shoot it) into each of the two holes in the cast iron plate.  The first picture shows the two holes.  The second picture shows the unit with the strikers down, and the last is the back side.  The cast iron part is four by five inches.  On the back it says:  WARNING   1. Handle with the same care as you would a gun.  2. Never get any part of the body in line with the barrels when operating.  3. Read all printed instructions before operating.   Pat. No.  ---- (gone)   A. – A. Detonator

Anyone know?

Jerry

[BryanStanley]

Not really sure what it is but I can guess. 1 it could be one of those traps that hold the coyote and puts 2 rounds in him at the same time. Or it might have been used as a booby trap of some sort. but being it has a patent. I really don't thinl it is either of the 2 I mentioned above.


Bryan

[FinsnFur]

That's pretty weird.

The two silver posts look almost as if they were made for some type of electrical connection.



Which makes me wonder if it's some sort of alarm, or alerting device they used to signal trains when rocks and boulders broke through a charged fence and could be laying on the train tracks. 

[ROOSTER]

Looks like a  Detonator for mining.

[cnichols33]

Although I've never seen one......I think it's a monkey trap! :roflmao:     j/k I couldn't resist. Sorry

[straycat]

Possibly a Slapper detonator used in mining operations.   

[Bopeye]

Looks like a big, fancy mousetrap to me............

[coyotehunter_1]

Just guessing but maybe it's an example of a tool used for ice fishing and/or for scaring off potential chicken thieves. 


Here's a US Patent Office description of one style of alarm detonator (sounds somewhat like the device in your photo).

(snip)
[0001] The present invention relates to an alarm arrangement that is primarily an acoustic arrangement. The alarm arrangement is among other things equipped with an explosive unit that can include conventional starter bullets. The invention may advantageously be used for ice fishing. In combination with the set up of a tripwire the alarm arrangement can also be used in many applications where it is important to protect both real property and animals

[0002] Alarm arrangement that provides an alarm through acoustic signals is generally known in many designs and are used in many different applications.

(cont.)


Source:
http://www.freshpatents.com/Alarm-arrangement-dt20050602ptan20050115488.php

[FinsnFur]

No pics Chet...no pics 

[coyotehunter_1]

Very interesting device. Could be a toilet paper dispenser.   
It looks fairly old, just a guess on my part... without a readable patent number. 


Sorry, Jim... No pic's... that I could find. 



C

[FinsnFur]

 :roflmao: You know I cant read...that doesnt do me any good at all.
All I see is that little guy shruggin his shoulders

[Hawks Feather]

I am somewhat disappointed.  I was sure that someone here would be able to tell me (for sure that is) what it is.

Thanks,

Jerry

[cb223]

I've seen mole traps that were similar to that. But they had the holes for the .22 shells pointing down!

[ErictheRed]

It looks like it has the word "detenator" in the lower right hand corner of the bottom picture.  Whoever said mining detonator may have a good guess.

[FinsnFur]

   The boys found one of these on American Pickers tonight, and the seller told them it was a booby trap that held two rounds and hung over a door.
When the door was opened it would send two rounds down into the intruder. 

[Hawks Feather]

Yea, I am watching it right now.  They have the $100 bet on it so I am waiting for the end to see if they say what it really is.  They bought it for $150.  I think mine might need to go up for sale - before the end of the show when they say it is worth $10.

Jerry

[Jeb]

Actually its a device to get fishing worms out of the ground.........hook up your hot and ground wires and stomp the 2 probes in the ground and bingo.........worms will jump in the can.   
                             Jeb

[FinsnFur]

The appraiser guy said it was a patented device for checking automobile brakes

[Hawks Feather]

I am not a mechanic, but that sure seems unusual.  I need to find that patent to see how it is used.  The good news is that the one he bought was worth $75 and didn't look like it was in as good of condition as the one I have.  Now I just need to find a person interested in brake parts.

Jerry

[FinsnFur]

I tried to find another pic of it now that we know what it is...which might lead to some documentation. I cant find, I say i cant find nuttin