News:

"Do you not know that a man is not dead while his name is still spoken?" - Terry Pratchett, Going Postal

Main Menu

English tool ID needed

Started by aufevermike, August 27, 2011, 09:42:48 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Print
Go Down Pages1
User actions

aufevermike

August 27, 2011, 09:42:48 AM Last Edit: August 27, 2011, 09:57:43 AM by aufevermike
Can someone please ID this tool and perhaps tell me appproximately when it was made or used? The only markings are "ENGLAND" stamped in 4 places, along both sides of each tapered point. The middle part that has the bent "hook"  kind of springs in between the 2 points. Any ideas?
Thank You,
Mike

Lewill2

#1
August 27, 2011, 10:20:34 AM
I believe it is called a Jews Harp. Not sure how you play it but you put part of it in your mouth and the wire sticks out between your lips and you pull and release the wire while cupping your hands around your mouth to vary the sounds.

aufevermike

#2
August 27, 2011, 10:47:01 AM
Wow, cool, thanx for a quick ID. Who would have thought this was an instrument?? This measures 3 1/4 wide and 4 1/2 inches long. At first I didn't see how this could have fit in a mouth but a little research shows it doesn't go in the mouth. It is kinda played like a flute.

kxxr

#3
August 27, 2011, 11:21:48 AM
Yes, and to vary the sound, besides cupping your hands; you vary the opening of your mouth as you do when tapping on your cheeks to make a popping sounds of different pitches. All you need now is a one string tub bass, a washboard and maybe a banjo or fiddle if you want to get fancy, and you can entertain the crowd at your next barn dance. Yeeehaw!!
Check 'em out here:
http://www.mouthmusic.com/audio/mp3index.htm

pritch

#4
August 28, 2011, 12:21:24 AM
That is played by putting the narrow ends against your teeth and flip the little spring steel piece with your thumb.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jew's_harp

Caution: it will bloody your lips if you ain't careful!

Neals

#5
August 28, 2011, 01:48:24 AM
Great find.  Only the second one I have ever seen.

m_fumich

#7
August 28, 2011, 02:14:54 PM
Jews Harp, a.k.a. Jaw Harp. That brings back memories.

Wrenchmensch

#8
August 28, 2011, 05:54:45 PM
Confirmed, it is a Jews Harp.  They used to be quite common, and easy to find in Woolworth's and other like stores.  They were, by and large, more used by kids and country folks.
Print
Go Up Pages1
User actions