Taft-Peirce gauge

   This would probably be an adjustable go no-go gauge made for some specific job in a production environment. Taft-Peirce started out making sewing machines in 1875 but as the market became too competitive they moved into making special machinery, jigs and gauges on contract to other manufacturers. The company closed in 1995.

 History at Vintagemachinery.org

 

Sidecar Sunday

1963 Thunderbird

This is a nice rare piece, a friction-powered tin toy made in China back in the eighties.

 

Mk 23 practice bomb

Interesting that these WW2-era things still appear in antique shops.      These practice bombs were made of cast iron and were used for low altitude bombing practice. There was a special charge resembling a shotgun shell that went off when it hit the ground, making a small fireworks explosion. 

More here.

 

Williams knurling tool holder

Vintage machinery

The Splendid Book for Boys

   Jet fighter, aircraft carriers, rockets! What more could a boy desire? This classic British boys' adventure publication,  a staple for young readers during the 1940s and 50s, possibly later? seems to have been available in both magazine and hardcover versions each offering exciting short stories of adventure. Lots of copies available, not so much history online.

One of my vices is vises (another anvil vise)

These combination anvil vises are more common than I thought.

 

Oscillating gas motor

  In 1880 Joseph Ravel,  a French engineer and inventor, built and patented this acetylene-powered two-stroke engine. Patent 236,258.  The design seems to be ahead of its time but was apparently abandoned after a series of accidents culminated in a huge explosion.

  Acetylene was discovered in 1836 but had been rediscovered in France in 1860 by chemist Marcellin Berthelot.

BSA Bantam

  Ad from 1967, a groovy cool couple on a Bantam.

 The bike had been part of the BSA lineup since 1948, from a 1930s DKW design first sold in 1939. It soldiered on till 1971.

Pontiac Parisienne drag car

Shouldn't be sitting outside....