This weekends stumper (at least for me...hahaha)

[Icanfixthat]

I came across this tool over the weekend. Anyone know what this is? I'm stumped.
There is only one ID Marking on it, Gill-Stephenson Mch Co, Lawrence Mass, no patent #'s.
It is made of Aluminum.
The handle is hollow.
Has a large dimpled wheel which looks like it should be placed on an item moving past you on a production line. As the wheel moves it turns a brass gear and moves a measurement wheel with a brass arrow. 
The range of the wheel is 0-50 ft on the outer ring, 50-100 ft on the inner ring. 
The wheel counts upward from 0 when it turns counter clock wise (think of putting it on a board or fabric moving past you on a production line. 
 
Can't be a standard distance measuring wheel as it is hand held and you would have to bend over and walk backwards for it to measure 0-100.

Just curious as heck about it! Let me know if you need more pictures.

Thanks for your opinions and insights!

Best regards

[international3414]

i have been looking for one of those for years,,,,,,,,,,kidding,,,,,,its cool and i would have grabbed it also

[oldgoaly]

I think you are on the right track of a rpm counter, pic one it could be used on a lathe in that position. the size of the "contact wheel" would lead a person to think "not use in a pocket watch factory"  but it could be used on the  belts and pulleys of a line shaft. So maybe for a person who sets up line shaft systems?

[turnnut]

 it could be for the fabric industry, Lawrence had many mills.

   it may be possible the the person using it would hold it on the passing fabric while wating his stop watch
   to see how many feet fer minute the operator was making.

    just a guess.

     just for a test, roll it about 3 feet on the bed or rug and check the reading on the gauge.

[Catch22!]

Drop the Public Library in Lawrence an e-mail asking for information on the company.  That may give you a start. 

[bill300d]

it could be for the fabric industry, Lawrence had many mills.

   it may be possible the the person using it would hold it on the passing fabric.

This would be my guess also.

[Icanfixthat]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will update this if I find out anything concrete!

[Icanfixthat]

Someone made a small offer on this.  How do you guys value hard to identify items like this with no apparent market?
Thanks for your opinions!

[bill300d]

Irregardless of its identity and market value what is the dollar amount that would make you content if you didn't own it any more? Or may be you would prefer to hold on to it and try to discover its history.

[Icanfixthat]

Very true, its been fun trying to figure out its true history.  We even took it to the Boucville Antique show in Madison County, NY over the weekend.  It definitely generated a lot of interest but none of the dealers we spoke with had seen one before.
My son brought it to the golf course today and as a joke with his buddies, used it measure a long put!

I guess we could re-purpose it and use it with our Bocce Ball set!

[turnnut]

  this is just my 2 cent opinion;  if I had it, I would not part with it until I found out what it is used for.

  p.s.  have you rolled it out to about 3 feet and checked to see if it recorded on the dial  1  or 3  ( feet or yards )

[JPRI]

By any chance, did you buy that in Maine?  I saw it, but wasn't for sale yet.

[Icanfixthat]

No I picked it up in CNY. By chance do you have more accurate information about it!? That would be great!
And to the earlier question, re increments, 1 ='s 1 Yard, spot on too.  So it's total range is.1-100 yards.

[JPRI]

First one I've seen other than yours...hopefully it will be for sale when I go back