27

Found when cleaning out the garage. It slides to open up as shown in the photos.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Improve this question
14
  • Are there any significant markings on it, a company name, or even model number?
    – MonkeyZeus
    Mar 29, 2022 at 15:34
  • No markings of any kind including company name or otherwise unfortunately.
    – Jason
    Mar 29, 2022 at 15:35
  • 1
    Is that white dust residue on the top of the plates? Maybe you're supposed to stick it in wet concrete and telescope the tool vigorously to bring air bubbles out of concrete?
    – MonkeyZeus
    Mar 29, 2022 at 15:39
  • 1
    no indications of wear more than what can be noticed in the photo. no other residue noticed anywhere. It is possible it was never used as well. The only idea I had was it could be used to drag in the lake to remove weeds but that seemed a bit of a stretch
    – Jason
    Mar 29, 2022 at 15:59
  • 4
    I've no idea either, but that isn't a very 'grab-and-rough-about' friendly handle. You wouldn't want to be stirring cement all day with a handle like that, you'd want something heftier & no square corners. Having said that, the slide mechanism is going to have a lot of drag in it for a repetitive operation. It doesn't look old enough to be pre-nylon bushes etc if it were. That leaves me with only one suggestion - Marge Simpson's hair brush. [sorry;)
    – Tetsujin
    Mar 29, 2022 at 17:38

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
65

It's a NEUMAN chimney cleaning tool from 1929

This chimney sweep tool is shaped rectangularly to match the inside shape of the chimney, and the expansion adjusts to match a range of chimney sizes.

enter image description here

To convince a spouse to keep it, you can rebrand it as a uniquely re-purposed flower stand:

enter image description here

Value $103

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/838043669/vintage-orange-chimney-sweep-sweeper

and https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-chimney-sweep-cleaner-scraper-173534122

No additional brushes or bristles are needed. The zig-zagged bottom is the brush. According to its 1930 patent, "The lower ends of the scraper bars terminate with transversely disposed fluted portions 6, which portions form contact brush elements for engagement with the four walls or" the chimney."

enter image description here

enter image description here

More details in the patent, at https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/bf/ca/9d/c4c933a9e6bf2c/US1775969.pdf

Improve this answer
6
  • 4
    ...So, would this have had some kind of brushes attached to the ends of those zig-zaggy things? Or did you just scrape metal on brick directly?
    – Darrel Hoffman
    Mar 30, 2022 at 13:35
  • 7
    @DarrelHoffman I imagine it would be used as-is to get the bulk of the soot off the inside of the chimney. Then you can use a brush if you don't think there is already enough mess everywhere, from my limited experience cleaning a chimney above a coal fire.
    – Andrew Morton
    Mar 30, 2022 at 15:47
  • Did the etsy seller that you linked lower their price from $103 to $79 since you posted or why are you saying value is $103?
    – Dean MacGregor
    Mar 30, 2022 at 17:18
  • @DarrelHoffman according to the patent (see above, I added) the ends are the brush.
    – P2000
    Mar 30, 2022 at 20:22
  • 6
    This was a good answer and got my +1. Now with the link to the patent, it's an even better answer, but I can't give it another +1. Please accept this pat on the back instead.
    – FreeMan
    Mar 31, 2022 at 12:57

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.