Purpose built C-Clamp - What's it for?

[sick467]

Grandpa had two of these in his collection. He was a carpenter pretty much his whole life after the war (WWII). These are made of stamped steel and I would consider them very light duty compared to the standard C-clamp. There are no markings on them whatsoever. I am at a total loss as to what they are for...

 

[Dumber than lumber]

After looking at it a few times .... I think it was a Fathers Day gift. Because what else could explain it?

 

[gungatim]

LGR

 

[steaks&anvils]

wild *** guess.

paint can, wallpaper glue or wall plaster can holder for a ladder?

the T-shape with tabs fit onto the ladder. the can sits on the round pad, the screw is from the side to lock down differing sized cans.

The three slots in the support can hang a can hoop handle for an extra can? Three choices to accommodate different sized cans.

edit: I just noticed they are pretty small. Too small for paint cans, unless for detailed trim paint, like gold accent etc?

 

[LOW1]

Could those slots be for chain links? Carpenter working alone needs to hold up a long 2 x 12 and wraps a chain around one end of it and secures it to the clamp which is screwed down on a top plate or whatever? Carpenter then lifts up other end and nails it and then returns to the clamped end to nail it? Just a WAG

 

[Prospecter]

Fishing rod holder?

 

[sick467]

All good guesses! I like the Father's Day guess. I always envisioned using strings between the two clamps as some sort of guide for laying bricks, tile, or the like, but I can't really explain the whale tale on the end.

 

[PLANofMAN]

Closest thing Google gives me is a camper clamp for those truck bed style campers.

 

[driftpin]

What about a cabinetmaker's edge gluing clamp?

 

[sick467]

Grandpa was a fisherman, and a good one at that! I did a fair amount of fishing with them and we used sticks. I never saw these in the tackle box.

This thing may not even be related to carpentry...I just don't know. I wonder if these were a part of a kit and I'm missing some pieces?

 

[PLANofMAN]

I hope you don't mind, I posted this on a Facebook vintage tool identification group, and the consensus seems to be that they are lantern holders for a boat (or camper presumably).

 

[sick467]

Not at all PoM, post this any which way you can. I can somewhat see the lantern holder ideas. At least I can see using them for that.

A coworker said they look a lot like the type of clamps used on trolling motors. They kinda do, but I have not found any true examples...yet.

 

[sick467]

The jury is still out. I have not been able to find any internet evidence on this clamp and what is was made for.

 

[sick467]

Just taking this back to the top, hoping for a fresh set of eyes.

 

[sick467]

Bump again.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I seem to remember some fishing rods hanging on some clamps like that

 

[gungatim]

this is definitely part of a fishing setup called a "Jig Up". I saw one NOS in the package at a yard sale yesterday. I didn't have my phone or I would have gotten a pic.

those 3 settings are not for the rod, they are for the tip up flag, and it is missing the other main piece.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think the mystery has been solved!

 

[sick467]

I wonder what the missing part looks like? I cannot find any photos of the set up on the net. I may have the missing parts and just don't know it.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think this is from long ago. Not something they still make.

 

[gungatim]

it was maybe 4"x12" metal frame I think it connected to, it wasn't assembled it was old school blisterpacked and covered in dust...
it was those 3 slots that caught my eye and the drawing on the cardboard showed the flag in that position.
I probably should have bought it but I don't fish much...

 

[Oldtuleguy]

yes I am remembering something vaguely from 50 years ago. My dad and his buddies would take me fishing and that was part of some rig. Can't remember if it was ice fishing but maybe.

 

[Leviton]

this is definitely part of a fishing setup called a "Jig Up". I saw one NOS in the package at a yard sale yesterday. I didn't have my phone or I would have gotten a pic.

those 3 settings are not for the rod, they are for the tip up flag, and it is missing the other main piece.

This was as close as I could find - same name anyway. Jig-Up Tip Up Ice Fishing

 

[gungatim]

looks like a modern version...

 

[sick467]

I'm not doubting the Tip-Up/Jig-Up system the right answer, but, for the life of me, I can't find any photos on the net showing the system that would have used my clamps.

 

[steaks&anvils]

I'm not doubting the Tip-Up/Jig-Up system the right answer, but, for the life of me, I can't find any photos on the net showing the system that would have used my clamps.

Me too. I looked for a awhile and couldn't find anything either. Paged through thousands of picture views on the web...

I used search phrases that contained the following: old, vintage, antique, fishing gear, rod holders, jig everything, fishing flag, fishing clamp etc.

It doesn't look any of the ice fishing flag or hook setting rigs. Looks more like it mounts onto a boat. Trolling motor mounts are still a good guess.

 

[geomagno]

I have a set of these that also came from granddad and couldn't figure out what they were for. I considered the fisherman angle: he was a fisherman and did have a boat with a trolling motor but I couldn't find these in any fishing photos he had. I even searched vintage boat motors attached to Jon boats and they didn't pop up. If anyone ever finds a pic of these in use I hope you will post here or on my post. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/unique-c-clamp-what-is-it-for.503664/

 

[abductd51]

I know its late, but in case...."Vintage Little Giant Extension Lantern Bracket Fishing Lantern Holder" is the description on Worthpoint. Thank you Reddit.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I know its late, but in case...."Vintage Little Giant Extension Lantern Bracket Fishing Lantern Holder" is the description on Worthpoint. Thank you Reddit.

I know I've used these before but for the life of me I cannot remember where or how. And I have fished a lot. Good thread.

 

[geomagno]

I know its late, but in case...."Vintage Little Giant Extension Lantern Bracket Fishing Lantern Holder" is the description on Worthpoint. Thank you Reddit.

Thanks for posting! Finally, riddle is solved.

 

[59Sled]

Here's some pics of the one found on Worthpoint.
Also there's one currently for sale in the box on Ebay with a bunch of fishing lures.
It's so good I kind of want one now, even though I have no use for it.

 

[four.cycle]

^ any patent date or number or even a mention of patent anywhere on the unit or the box?

There are a bazillion "John O. Johnson" entries on the web.
I think this one is the most likely candidate - "fisherman" and "entrepreneur" - and the photo.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Here's some pics of the one found on Worthpoint.
Also there's one currently for sale in the box on Ebay with a bunch of fishing lures.
It's so good I kind of want one now, even though I have no use for it.

Great job 59sled. It's now all coming back to me. lol.

 

[59Sled]

Here's the picture of the one currently on eBay. And here's a link to the add. Hope that's allowed here. If not I can delete it.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[59Sled]

^ any patent date or number or even a mention of patent anywhere on the unit or the box?

There are a bazillion "John O. Johnson" entries on the web.
I think this one is the most likely candidate - "fisherman" and "entrepreneur" - and the photo.

Patent number on the box of the one on Ebay is US patent 2598130

 

[four.cycle]

Thank you. I finally found it after several searches:

Mallison / T.D. Mallison, 6722 Winton, Dallas, TX / "Little Giant" lantern bracket / patent 2598130 May 27 1952 Thomas D. Mallison / see also John O. Johnson, Dallas TX /

the question now is how did it go from Mallison to Johnson:

Johnson / John O. Johnson, 2210 Sea Island Dr., Dallas, TX 75232 / "Little Giant" lantern bracket / patent 2598130 May 27 1952 Thomas D. Mallison / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/purpose-built-c-clamp-whats-it-for.477471/ / see also T.D. Mallison, Dallas, TX /

Johnson's obituary mentions "entrepreneur" and "fisherman" so it's not unreasonable to assume that Johnson simply bought out Mallison.
The address on Mallison's box - 6722 Winton, Dallas, TX - is a small house in a residential area.
Johnson's house at 2210 Sea Island Drive, Dallas TX is a bit bigger, and a bit fancier.

But that's as far as I'm going to chase it. Fun rabbit hole, but it's time to come up for air.