Maybe Not even a tool????

[dimwittedmoose51]

No clue; the guy that sold me the display boards has this.  The two pieces of wood expand and contact as noed by the clamps holding them together.  Not sure about the ends and they didn't photgraph very well.  Channon mfg .Co. Chicage...

TIA,

DM&FS

[john k]

First thought upon looking it over,  it was an adjustable tongue for a goat cart.  Then I googled J.H.Channon  and found the Channon company that manufactured railroad equipment and contractors supplies, out of Chicago.  It seems J.H.Channon was an officer in the company and under his name he manufactured theatrical equipment, rocking chain wheels, winches, I-beam trolleys and a host of other equipment.  Until someone comes up with a catalog, or identifies it, I can say it was likely made in Chicago! 

[dimwittedmoose51]

John, you get the Einstein award for the powers of duduction this weekend!!!  Saw the same url and had no idea what any theatrical equipmentlooks like, so I may have to contact my bud in KC that is a union stage hand.  Maybe he knows.  I'll use up my"call a friend" on this guessing game.....lol  Thanks

DM&FS

[Brophy]

Hi Guys,

It's an adjustable stage brace, used for stiffening scenery on stage or in film.  We still use them occasionally.

...Rob (theatre prop builder)

[dimwittedmoose51]

Thanks Rob.  Is it old enough to have collector's value? the owner is curious.  thanks

DM&FS

[Brophy]

Is it old enough to have collector's value? the owner is curious. 

Sure! But not in the tool market.

It would probably do better in an antique shop in an area that has theatre history...the old gals would eat it up. The wood could be trimmed down to make it more decorative. Is there any chance it could be traced back to a specific theatre or production company? Any markings on the wood?

Occasionally, we sell off some of our props that will not be used again (too specific or too stylized) and folks line up to buy them. I have to admit we have more than a few odd props in our house...but we get them free.

...Rob

[Brophy]

Had a second look at the pix....it looks like it has already been trimmed!! They are usually around six feet long.

...Rob

[dimwittedmoose51]

Rob:  The one I looked at  and photographed looked like it had adjustable lengths with the two clamps in the center section.  Are those permanent?  I'll cruise over and look at it again in the near future and look for theater marks and get back to the topic then.

thx

DM&FS

[Brophy]

The clamps (actually one clamp, one guide) are attached to the boards...one to each board. They act as guides to keep the boards in line and only one usually has a clamp. This is for height adjustment.

In use, a stagehand would hook one of the top horns through an eyelet on a flat (scenery wall), loosen the clamp, slide one section down to the proper length and align the hole in the metal foot to a hole prepared on the deck (stage floor) and insert a stage screw....

[Papaw]

Sure glad you are with us again Brophy!

[Brophy]

Thanks Papaw! Happy to be here.

Now, where is Scottg and what mischief can we get into? :-)

...Rob

[church]

definitely a stage brace, in the UK you could get them in different lengths.  Could also be used with stage weights instead of a stage screw.  I worked in a theatre with a varnishd hardwood deck and nothing could b screwed into it

[Brophy]

definitely a stage brace, in the UK you could get them in different lengths.  Could also be used with stage weights instead of a stage screw.  I worked in a theatre with a varnishd hardwood deck and nothing could b screwed into it

Braces meant for use with a stage weight have a different bottom end.

...Rob