Wehave an unusual looking antique instrument/tool. It is sturdily built of iron,
stands about 8 inches tall, about 4-5 inches front to back at the
base, and about 3 inches wide at the widest point of its "funnel". A
toothed arm pivots on a geared cam - which when turned pushes the cam
down into a brass lined funnel type device. Below the "funnel" is a
smaller v-shaped container mounted on a pivoting base - this piece
also has a small cutout at the top which looks like it would be for
overflow of some type. It looks like something from a laboratory or
ammunition shop. Printing on the side of the "tool" is damaged but
reads something like: "Arck Balussafen, April 29, 187? (?= 3, 8, or
9). Any idea what it might be

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Request for Question Clarification by huntsman-ga on 21 Aug 2002 07:46 PDT

Nasmekl,

Do you have access to a digital camera? Is there any way you can post
pictures of this item on the Web, perhaps on Yahoo!Photos
(http://photos.yahoo.com/)?
 
Where did you get it from?

Thanks,
Huntsman

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Request for Question Clarification by huntsman-ga on 21 Aug 2002 10:12 PDT

Nasmekl,

Some additional questions for you:

1. Generally speaking, does the overall design and mechanism of your
device look anything like the following eBay items? How is it
similar/different?:
  
   Cherry pitter, cast iron, Goodell Co. Old 
   http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2133234606

   Very nice cast iron bottle capper
   http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2132556724

2. Is its base square or round? Can the base be clamped or screwed
down onto a horizontal surface, or is the device freestanding?

3. Does the toothed arm (with cam on the end) have a handle? If you
pull/push on the handle, does the arm move up and down in the funnel
like a plunger?

4. Is the cam (on the end of the toothed arm) pointed, flat, concave,
etc.? Does it have a cutting edge?

5. Does it look like something can come out of the bottom of the
funnel and land in the v-shaped container underneath it?

6. Can the funnel and v-shaped container be removed?

Huntsman

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Request for Question Clarification by huntsman-ga on 21 Aug 2002 11:18 PDT

And a few more:

7. Is the top of the funnel about 3" in diameter?
8. What is the diameter of the hole on the bottom of the funnel?
9. What is the the diameter of the cam on the end of the toothed arm?

Thanks again,
Huntsman

Maybe it's an antique shell reloader. Here is an assortment of  modern
ones. The basic mechanism would be the same.

http://www.wholesalehunter.com/product/rcbs/rcbsdes/reloadingequipment.htm

Here's a 1920's "Shotshell reloader"
http://www.traphof.org/collectors_corner/page42.htm


Here's an antique reloading funnel that was hand carved for an "old
time reloader."
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1852878740

Did that help? 

Huntsman is right. A picture sure would be handy. 

-K~

Pardon my slowness. I'm new at this. Apparently, I've sent this to the
wrong google address before. In response to your questions:

1. The device doesn't look lie any of the pictures you sent.
2. No, we don't have a digital camera. I tried the scanner but that
didn't work.
3.Base measurements: 5"D X 2.5"W, rounded corners.
4. Not designed to be screwed or clamped down. It is freestanding.
5. Tooth arm all one piece  and is the handle - moving the cam up and
down like a plunger.
6. Cam is milled with very close tolerances, it flat on the botton,
and perfectly flush with the botton of the funnel when depressed.
7. It is obviously designed for something to come out the bottom of
the funnel and end up in the lower vee-shaped container.
8. The only moveable parts are the arm and cam.
9. Top of the funnel is 3".
10. Hole in the bootom of funnel approx. 9/16".
11. Diameter of the cam is approx. 1/64" smaller than hole in funnel.

Hope this helps.