« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: English tool ID needed  (Read 3117 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline aufevermike

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
English tool ID needed
« on: August 27, 2011, 09:42:48 AM »
Can someone please ID this tool and perhaps tell me appproximately when it was made or used? The only markings are "ENGLAND" stamped in 4 places, along both sides of each tapered point. The middle part that has the bent "hook"  kind of springs in between the 2 points. Any ideas?
Thank You,
Mike
« Last Edit: August 27, 2011, 09:57:43 AM by aufevermike »
Logged

Online Lewill2

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1987
  • Bucks County PA
Re: English tool ID needed
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2011, 10:20:34 AM »
I believe it is called a Jews Harp. Not sure how you play it but you put part of it in your mouth and the wire sticks out between your lips and you pull and release the wire while cupping your hands around your mouth to vary the sounds.
Logged

Offline aufevermike

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
Re: English tool ID needed
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2011, 10:47:01 AM »
Wow, cool, thanx for a quick ID. Who would have thought this was an instrument?? This measures 3 1/4 wide and 4 1/2 inches long. At first I didn't see how this could have fit in a mouth but a little research shows it doesn't go in the mouth. It is kinda played like a flute.
Logged

Offline kxxr

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1157
Re: English tool ID needed
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2011, 11:21:48 AM »
Yes, and to vary the sound, besides cupping your hands; you vary the opening of your mouth as you do when tapping on your cheeks to make a popping sounds of different pitches. All you need now is a one string tub bass, a washboard and maybe a banjo or fiddle if you want to get fancy, and you can entertain the crowd at your next barn dance. Yeeehaw!!
Check 'em out here:
http://www.mouthmusic.com/audio/mp3index.htm
Logged

Offline pritch

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 199
Re: English tool ID needed
« Reply #4 on: August 28, 2011, 12:21:24 AM »
That is played by putting the narrow ends against your teeth and flip the little spring steel piece with your thumb.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jew's_harp

Caution: it will bloody your lips if you ain't careful!
Logged

Offline Neals

  • Contributor
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 745
  • Alberta, Canada
Re: English tool ID needed
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2011, 01:48:24 AM »
Great find.  Only the second one I have ever seen.
Logged

Offline Branson

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3643
Re: English tool ID needed
« Reply #6 on: August 28, 2011, 08:51:57 AM »
Logged

Offline m_fumich

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 198
Re: English tool ID needed
« Reply #7 on: August 28, 2011, 02:14:54 PM »
Jews Harp, a.k.a. Jaw Harp. That brings back memories.
Logged

Offline Wrenchmensch

  • Contributor
  • Hero Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 1114
  • Wrenches tell of man's freedom to think
Re: English tool ID needed
« Reply #8 on: August 28, 2011, 05:54:45 PM »
Confirmed, it is a Jews Harp.  They used to be quite common, and easy to find in Woolworth's and other like stores.  They were, by and large, more used by kids and country folks.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »