Discovering ANTIQUES

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What is it? What’s it Worth?As I was rummaging through the store theother day I found these morbid and sinisterlooking items, again. Yes, they came with acardboard box and with instructions; but I am afraidthat if I show that then it would be a dead give away.Let me go back a few years (early 1900++) when farmmachines were run by steam, gas and diesel, and theyhad a lot of extra horse power. John Deere and Masseywere the major manufactures of the power tools usedin the fields, such as threshing machines, saws (to cutfirewood) and other equipment. Some models of tractorsalso had a large flywheel on the side. This wheel was notonly used to start the tractor but had other purposes.Most of the larger threshing machines and tools that hadto be power driven also had a large drive pulley on theside. A drive belt was looped over the pulleys of both thetractor flywheel and thresher, stretched out to providetension and enough pressure to turn the mechanisminside the thresher.Now I have set the stage for this item.In a lot of cases the belts, generally thick rubberizedlayered canvas, ranging in thickness from 1/16” (1.5mm)to 1/2” thru 5/8” (13 mm to 16 mm), were only used oncea year for approximately two to three weeks. The rest of thetime they werestored awayfrom moste l e m e n t s .H o w e v e r ,generally through use, the belts would break. I am notsure how they would have been repaired prior to theinvention of this item (hand-sewn I believe would havebeen out of the question as the thickness of the belt andthe lack of strength of the binding) but could have beenused in a pinch. Hence this item was invented.By squaring off each end of the belt with a sharp knife,the process was relatively easy (just follow the directionson the package) and have a hammer handy. Turnaround time was probably within minutes rather thanhours. Then back into the fields for the remainder of theharvest or other jobs that required power type tools.The photo is only part of the “Alligator” Steel Belt Lacing,Size No 25 for 8 inch belts and included six sets (12lengths) of 8 inch (200mm) wide belts with gauge andhinge pins.Could this system be used today, certainly I would valuethis, if it were new and had all the pieces between $ 35.00to $50.00.If you have an item you would like to have evaluated write to Dan Thomson (owner, Inglewood Antiques) 1221B - 9 AvenueSE, Calgary, AB T2G 0S9. Please include a clear picture of the item and any marks that may be visible. The cost per item is only$5.00 which covers the time spent in research, etc. The most interesting items will be featured in this magazine. Please allow areasonable amount of time for Mr. Thomson to reply. The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of Mr. Thomson, andare merely a guide to values. Neither Mr. Thomson nor the magazine will be held responsible for any transactions that may arisefrom the above information. Items may or may not sell for appraised value. Thank you for using our service.16 • <strong>Discovering</strong> <strong>ANTIQUES</strong>
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