Something I found when I was clearing my mother's house. I had no idea what it was, but it looked sort of interesting, so I hung on to it. I still have no idea what it is, so would welcome some suggestions.
The size is given by the librarian's glove (which is just present to stop the thing rolling about). It is obviously a glass measuring device of some sort - the narrowness of the internal tube suggests that the units may be smaller than millilitres, but it could be ml, I guess. There is a small glass funnel at the top, with a pouring lip, and the tip is tapered; looks to me as though it is intended to add small amounts of something to a mixture - that sort of thing.
The scale is on one side only, as you see, and the device lives in a cardboard tube. The writing on the end label may be a shelf code or similar, but it looks like a price - 58 pence. If that is true, then:
(1) it was never very valuable
(2) it was purchased after decimalisation (1971)...
(3) ...but soon enough after decimalisation for the UK still to be working in accurate conversions from Old Money.
There was no obvious context given by where it was stored - it wasn't in the bathroom cabinet, it was in a cupboard in the boxroom, with odd drawing tools and spare lightbulbs. As far as I know, my father wasn't into drugs or tricky medication, and he wasn't a chemist. He was a photographer, however (of a sort), and for some years he was an enthusiastic (though disastrous) amateur wine-maker (Sprout Port, anyone?). The clues run out at this point, though of course I'm happy to answer any questions you may have!
Judging by the shape, clearly a thistle juice dispenser.....
ReplyDeleteProbably tastes like Irn Bru (which of course tastes like Puerto Rican soda allegedly...)
No I have no idea what it is....:-)
Neil
This is a very interesting theory - must check this out. By the way, I know nothing about Puerto Rican soda (though would be interested in a site visit), but can testify that Irn Bru is made from the rust flakes they blast off the Forth Bridge and is the reason why Scottish teenagers have rotten teeth.
DeleteAlexandria Ocasiao - Cortez "tastes like Kola Champagne" .
DeleteI see they have cut Irn Bru exports to Russia - that'll show them.....
Neil
Neil - a (dead) musician friend of mine once told me that years ago he toured in Europe with Bob Wallis's Jazzmen - they were based in Zurich (Wallis was a tax exile), but travelled all over - very popular in Russia, apparently (put your own date on this). At one time, the band was stranded for a day in Arkhangelsk, after the aeroplane passengers had had a whip-around to raise money for an engine part and the repair was under way. While they waited, the airport supplied them with sandwiches, local (dark) vodka and a slab of frozen tins of Irn Bru, which was popular in the Soviet Block at the time. No - I can hardly believe it, either, but there you go.
DeleteIran Bru....."Made in Scotland from girders"!
DeleteAlways amazed me that kids would guzzle down Irn Bru by the gallon, but would cringe at the flavour of cough mixture, which is almost the same...
DeleteIt is possibly one of the following…
ReplyDelete1. An experimental glass nose flute.
2. It is a device for measuring out a ‘true’ Scottish Dram for the English market.
3. It is a gullibility detector… you see how many places you can stick it before someone starts to get suspicious…
Other than that I may have seen something similar in my fathers home brewing kit…. But I am not sure because I had been drinking his world famous cabbage brandy…
All the best. Aly
These are all brilliant, though I suspect you are not taking this research entirely seriously. The winemaking theme is looking like a favourite, but haven't yet nailed the function of the actual device.
DeleteIs it a 'specific gravity float' (a phrase I may have just made up) and something to do with wine-making? I have a feeling my mother had one and she did indulge in home-brew for a wile, mostly buluses! Although I havn't found it in the remains of the home-brew stuff, but then it looks delicate and I have found several broken air-traps - also 'science' glassware!
ReplyDeleteH
Hugh - the gravity float is a very good shout - I had a look at a couple of examples online - only major flaw with that is that this thing has a hole all the way through, and wouldn't float. Winemaking looks like the right area, though - thanks.
DeleteIt could be an early, failed prototype version of a gravity float, mind you.
DeleteWell done, gentlemen - you steered me towards the correct answer. It's a vinometer - here's how to use one.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NTacmUBouw
Doesn't work for very sweet or very strong wines - for these you have to dilute the wine sample with an equal amnount of water, and double your answer.
Sorry to end this one quickly, but I'm going to be away for a few days, and will not have internet (just like home, really). Thanks very much.
Late coming to this one - I knew what it was for, but had no idea how to use it - thanks for the educational link to the 'how to' video.
ReplyDeleteIt's a messerflute. the thin end is inserted into a new or still riping barrel of wine, then filled by sucking on the larger opening, which is then covered by hand, the flute retrieved and the smaller hole pluged by a thumb.
ReplyDeletethey are generally larger and only used by the Master of the Celler and Master Kelter. Normal length is about 50-100cm.
There are versions of 1-2 yards, but those are for serving, are carried along the left side of the body, left thumb pluging the bottom, upper part resting on the shoulder. they are to prevent the opening of the barrel and use of a spout to test the quality.
Generally you find them in Southern Germany, Austria, Elsass and Lothringen.