This unknown item is 8" tall and 8" wide, made of a cast iron material but fairly lightweight. I can't find anything on the web for this item. Manufactured in Minneapolis and marked Segerstrom, it might be a "form" used for tin smithing, however I have used it for many years as a form for patching tire tubes with great success.

The outer surface is smooth, the inner void is unfinished cast iron.

What the heck is this darn thing?

:-)



and...

Just WAG but how about for saddle or harness making?

Your use of the tool may not be too far off! I did find a listing for a Segerstrom Electric Vulcanizer Company in Minneapolis Minnesota around 1910! I didnt find any pictures of any of their tools that looked like yours but they did make tire patching equipment.

Hope this helps, Bill D.

Thanks Bill, I have now found that vulcanizer in a Motor book (Hearst, 1910). I see now how this would be a good form for laying a hot vulcanized patch in a tire casing (were talking teen's tires here...skinny!!), and then placing the patched tire on the form.

The original mounting setup for this might come from the side, allowing the tire to "drape" the form, thus allowing the repairman to strap it down to the form with a belt or rope in between the form legs.

I've mounted this on a short board to quickly clamp in a vice for tube repair.

I'm calling this case closed! Nice!

J