Acquired this little fellow today. Not sure why; but he is cute. Cover stamped (Weed Chain Jack Pat Feb 29,1916 Price 7.50) Haven't found patent yet as wasn't picked up in datamp. Have only one other old jack so don't think i'm a jack collector yet. That must have been a pretty high price in those days. Not often you can buy something for less than it cost new almost 100 years ago.

Very kewl jack :)

The patent is kinda weird, it's a split patent. The Feb 29 patent is 1174017
But there is an additional patent 1183886 (May 23, 1916) for a feature of the top of the jack
Issued to American chain co. Bridgeport,Ct

http://www.google.com/patents?id=xkdCAAAAEBAJ&zoom=4&dq=1174017&pg=PA2#v=onepage&q&f=false

 Thanks for the patent info Rusty

Neat Jack! I wonder what it was for. Doesnt look very practical to lay in the mud changing a tire or wheel.

 Patent refers to automotive use. Guess mud wasn't as dirty 100 years ago.

Does the chain reel swivel? Such a long chain would suggest the jack would be mounted on a post or high floor, rather than on the ground or shop floor.

ETA- found one on Worthpoint that shows the chain pulling to the side.

Nice!!!

Quote from: Papaw on June 20, 2011, 11:33:31 PM
found one on Worthpoint that shows the chain pulling to the side.

That one seems to be more practical...

Pretty sure they are the same, the reel must swivel.

I have similar early automotive related advertisements showing this jack

Quote from: Papaw on June 21, 2011, 03:59:09 AM
................ the reel must swivel.

The idea of the chain was apparently so that you could operate the jack under the car without getting down on your hands and knees yourself. It made jacking the up car, "child's play". Check out the attachment (if I have done it correctly). I have seen similar advertisements showing women in fine gowns doing the jacking.....No, not that!

The chain reel is meant to swivel so that the chain is pulled from a suitable angle. Mine does!
Mine doesn't seem to have as long a leg as the one pictured by jimwrench.  The cover is stamped "Weed Chain Jack, Made in U.S.A., Pat Feb 1916, Capacity 1 ton"  There is also a 5.23.16 patent date cast into the flip over extension on the top

Well, I think I made a right b***ls up of trying to attach that. It was a lovely advertisement picturing a little girl surprising her daddy by jacking up the car, too

Quote from: Donny B. on June 21, 2011, 06:24:29 AM
Well, I think I made a right b***ls up of trying to attach that. It was a lovely advertisement picturing a little girl surprising her daddy by jacking up the car, too

It came thru on my end Donny, as long as you are logged on to your google Account.

          "Goodness, Daddy! Your Slow-The car is Already Jacked UP!"
                                           "Weed Chain Jack"

That is one Cool looking Jack Jim, the likes of which I never knew exsixted before now! Thanks for sharing!

Wayne

Trying to show the ad-

Thanks for re doing that ad, Papaw. It is  easier to to see than the way it turned out for me. Although you can't scan the whole ad you still get the gist of it.

I don't know what I did.

 Yes we are all on same page. Reel does swivel which makes it more practical for automotive use. Saw a collector,who said he was thru collecting jacks buy one at auction once and wondered what the attraction was. Now I is one.