Monday,

Re: Monday,

John Veerkamp

Looks like to me there are embossed numbers on the ends of each finger. I'm guessing Dies for numbering manufactured items(furniture). There is probably an ink pad that goesd with the tools. No clues on the R unless it stands for red ink.

There are numbers, correct,  but

Gary Smyth

I need the name of the tool. In what industry was it used, and the meaning of the letter. As additional info, I found a picture of a similar item where the letter is a "M", not the "R" that appears on both of the items pictured.

Re: Monday,

John Veerkamp

If it were a spur I'd call it a rondel. Used in the furniture industry? Maybe the letters changed to signify different years. Kinda like date codes on musical instruments.

Re: Monday answer

Gary Smyth

John was sneaking up on the purpose. It was to mark serial numbers, lots, etc.

Lumberman�s marking wheel, or stamping wheel.

The examples pictured are mine but other pictures are shown in Sandor Nagyszalanczy�s book �Tools � Rare and Ingenious�. Also in Alvin Sellens� book �Dictionary of American Hand Tools�.

This was a swung tool requiring effort and accuracy. They weigh in at nearly four pounds each. �It took a flexible swing and good wrist control to maneuver a lumberman�s stamping wheel.� ��Used for stamping logs, poles, planks, or ties. The tool was available in either dull or sharp symbols for use on side or end grain respectively�.

Coopers also used the tool for numbering barrels. I�m told by one older timer that the telephone companies also used them to number their poles.

I do not know the use of the �R� in my examples. Nagyszalanczy�s picture shows an �M� in place of the �R�. It might stand for the company doing the marking.