Posted 7 years ago
lydabenson
(37 items)
Appears to be cast iron. Heavy. No markings. Has holes, perhaps for mounting. The wire is braided copper. The handle is wood. The outer edge of the spool is less than 3" in diameter. This was given to my son in a box of items. He thinks it is a reel, I think it is a wire dispenser/hardware store item.
Could be an easy put up & take-down clothes line.
Could be a down rigger ,but I've never saw one that small.
blunderbuss2 I doubt one would use copper for a clothesline, but, ya never know.
It doesn't even look like the copper wire was what was the original line.
Jeffgordon24 I had to google downrigger images to see what that is. I am not a fisherman. I have hung a few clothes though blunderbuss2. Nothing fresher!
A reel for antennae wire on an aircraft?
If the copper wire is original?
The radio operator on an aircraft would unreel a set length (depending on the radio frequency to be used) of copper wire which would trail underneath and behind the aircraft. When not required it would be reeled back in.
That is amazing Onedtent. Son in law is a pilot for the Air Force. I will have to show this to him. Thank you so much.
Oh, yes, the copper wire looks original and old.
Sa wha ?
Onedtent the antenna wire makes much more sense than fishing line for sure. I can't imagine using it as clothesline wire either. I looked at some images on google and haven't found one matching vintage aircraft, but I will keep looking and have son in law take a look at it. There is an aircraft museum near here, he can show them the photo. I'll let you know what he says.
I have 49 yrs as an aircraft tech. and never seen one mounted on a plane. I've seen crazier things mounted, but never one of these.
It might be a trolling reel. They used copper wire.
http://www.terapeak.com/worth/working-antique-taxie-4brothers4-fishing-reel-trolling-20s-braided-copper-wire/221947488675/
Here's a ratcheting downrigger cast iron reel.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/antique-cast-iron-ratcheting-fishing-reel-downrigger-rare-find-tackle-unique-/232006731511?_ul=AR
To add to my comment. Aircraft antennae reels c/w copper wire DO exist but all the go*gle images I've looked at the reel is different. Anything aircraft related would also be lightweight and a cast iron reel would, surely therefore, be considered too heavy?
Either the copper wire is not original and the reel was used for something else (such as a clothes line) or
What about a borehole or well water depth gauge?
The weight of the reel would be immaterial and the copper wire proof against corrosion?
Just a suggestion.
Amazing! Copper wire was used for fishing! I love learning something new! It looks a bit similar to the one on ebay Celiene, cast and has the stop on it. Fantastic little mystery treasure.
http://jproc.ca/rrp/nro_ww2.html
Another suggestion: (assuming that the copper wire on the reel is original) A grounding or earthing wire on a fuel truck or fuel bowser. Used for preventing the build up of static electricity.
That's it. Ground wire for fuel trucks. How many times have seem them used on fuel trucks at airports.