Treasure Hunt 26/02/05

wooden handled tool made of wire with pointy rectangle at end

Hi, Donna,

I enjoy reading your column in the Hippo and was wondering if you could identify this tool I “inherited” from my father. He thought it might have been used to help fuse to sheets when putting up tin ceilings.

Thanks.

Larry

Dear Larry,

Your dad was right! It is a copper-tipped soldering tool from the early 1900s. They were used for soldering but I’m not sure it was on tin ceilings. More like radiators, heavy metal repairs, etc. and possibly tin ceilings as your dad said.

I found them all over the place in prices. It seems they are desirable for decorative reasons now. Most, and I mean 90 percent of them, were in the range of $25. Ones signed by the maker bring a little more.

I hope this was helpful, Larry, and thanks for sharing with us.

Author: Donna Welch

Donna Welch has spent more than 30 years in the antiques and collectibles field, appraising and instructing, and recently closed the physical location of From Out Of The Woods Antique Center (fromoutofthewoodsantiques.com) but is still doing some buying and selling. She is a member of The New Hampshire Antiques Dealer Association. If you have questions about an antique or collectible send a clear photo and information to Donna at footwdw@aol.com, or call her at 391-6550 or 624-8668.

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