I have a Bonney concrete tools catalog that shows some of those.  I will try to post some pics sometime later this week.

JMH

Sellens' Dictionary of American Hand Tools" shows a similar tool on page 118. His illustrations come from old hardware catalogs and the one like yours is labeled "Dot Roller" and described as "Cement Tool, Roller. Also called Indentaion Roller and Sidewalk Roller. A roller uesd to provide a non slip survace to a sidewalk or similar concrete area. Size is 6 to 12 inches long. Available in bronze or iron."

What are the measurement on yours? It seems like the handle is shorter than the ones pictured in Sellens? The picture of your tool seems to be too small for a sidewalk roller.

Oak Leaf was a registered brand of the E. C. Simmons Hardware Co of St. Louis, MO. I have several Simmons catalogs will see if I can find one with the roller.

Here the listing for Oak Leaf Cement Rollers from a 1918 Simmons Catalog.

Quote from: geneg on April 29, 2012, 06:53:32 PM
Not enough clearance or diameter for a concrete tool.  No matter how much oil or release agent placed on it, it would still load up.  It would be a long slow job to do much area with that.  Most of  the tactile concrete surfaces are stamped with a sheet.  Also, the imprint is opposite (sticks up in lieu of recessed).  Recessed on concrete would fill up with dirt.   I vote for the tenderizer.

Having used one often I can confirm there is little problem with pick-up of concrete - the secret is getting the degree of set right - not too wet, not too dry. These rollers are typically 3" dia x 8" long and made from brass or bronze but usually have a longer handle... To tenderise steak it was usual to bash it... Web search for images of a concrete indentation roller will show the modern version - ditto for steak tenderiser uuaully shows a hammer with a chequered end, or even a blunt axe type tool

my first ever post on tooltalk (the old one) was for info on some heavy hand held brass rollers, Bus found a similar one in steel,but no conclusive guesses,,guesses ranged from pizza rollers to toffee rollers,,but concrete rollers were in the mix,if you guys dont mind i will dig them out and post pics,,i would love to get them sold to someone who could use them instead of dumped in the back of my shed.

Revisiting the roller thing a bit, I found an article (1905) that mentioned that the best concrete rollers were made by A. Gilchrist of Glasgow (UK) and were Brass......

So, the Brits at least were making brass ones...

http://books.google.com/books?id=iOVZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA553

The actual handle for it appears to be missing. it looks like you would use a long wooden handle with it, like a shovel. 

The main roller is roughly 10 inches long. we were investigating around the concrete last night and we found some faint patterns on the back steps that look like they were rolled with it. I think the mystery is solved.

Thanks bus for that catalog picture, that is awesome and thanks to every one who chimed in. Quite entertaining responses.

Waffle maker, lol, i a still cracking up over that one.

Benjy, post those pics, i would be interested to see them.

Quote from: rusty on May 02, 2012, 05:21:16 PM

Revisiting the roller thing a bit, I found an article (1905) that mentioned that the best concrete rollers were made by A. Gilchrist of Glasgow (UK) and were Brass......

So, the Brits at least were making brass ones...

Rusty RUSTY Rusty,,,,where were you the first time i showed these,,i have hunted high and low for answers to this one,,including  contacting scottish museums,the national trust,,and parading them around various drinking holes i frequent.... mine are by A Gilchrist of glasgow...couldnt find  mention of him anywhere.

David Stanley Tool Auctions (UK) list them as concrete rollers: http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-small,-unused-brass-concrete-roller-by-gilchris-1-c-zrdeh8lhla and another http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/a-solid-brass-patterned-concrete-roller-by-a.gil-1-c-3q5l28mxyk

and if you want to buy a new indent roller for concrete: http://www.speedcrete.co.uk/indent-roller-i49.html

I spoke to my friend who is the owner of the tool about what was found and shared on the site and it blew him away. I am kind of blown away myself by the fact of how many people replied to my post, even if they are just a funny post. Not too many forums out there today like this one.

I asked him if he would consider selling it now that he knows what it is and it's relative value. He said no, it is way to interesting to part with. I think he many be planning to display it in his garage when he is finished remodeling it.

I am surprised by what they are asking for a new one. 155GBP = ~250USD and it is made of what appears to be plastic and aluminum. Good find Billman.

The pictures that you put up are nice benjy and now you know what they are. That is two birds with one topic if i ever saw.