Marquette Rod Bar, any info?

[Revere Cycles]

I purchased this Marquette Rod Bar from an estate sale in New Jersey a few years ago. The estate sale was awesome, the previous owner was a machinist & master mold maker. I found the rod bar tucked in a corner, filled with rusty sheet and bar stock. One of the salespeople said if I cleaned it out, I could have it for $25. SOLD.

Anyway, has anyone seen one before? I've searched google periodically for some information, but I haven't found anything substantial. It has two round cavities at the top to hold brazing rod, and two deep pockets to hold longer pieces. The center section is covered in green flocking. I am thinking it may have been a store display. Regardless of the original intent, I've since put it to good use, it is my brazing station in my bicycle frame building shop.

Any information or comments would be appreciated!

 

[Provincial]

Not only do I think you are right in your opinion of the original purpose of the rack, but I'm going to keep a copy of the photo with the idea of building something similar.

I need something to keep short pieces of bar sorted for lathe projects. I'll make another with just vertical pockets for storing the longer pieces.

 

[greasemonkey44]

marquette used to make welders and rod is short for welding rod
the cavities look like it would hold the old tin cans of different grades and types of welding rod
its very cool; and can probobly hold a ton of weight too