Contest: Guess This Obscure Tool, Win More Tools

It's a letter press machine. It stamps letters into the metal sheets which can then be placed into a printing press for transferring ink onto paper.

You beat me to it KH. That's my guess.

looks like an old type writer

@KH: I would agree that it's used to stamp letters into metal. Machines like these were used extensively to create id tags for soldiers (dog tags).

doh I agree I think it make dogtags but since that one has been chosen I am going to say trophy plaques but I really think it is soldier dogtags

It's an old graphotype machine!

In particular, it's a rotogravure.

I'm going with old $^%@ engraving machine. Don't know if it stamps the letters or engraves paterns based on the wheel settings. Betting the later.

I'm going with old $^%@ engraving machine. Don't know if it stamps the letters or engraves paterns based on the wheel settings. Betting the later.

I'll say is lether press machine or a letters Press of some type..

It's a Class 6100 Graphotype made by Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio in late 1930's

i think it used to make pie tins

Its a first generation fax machine.

Are you actually going to give away prizes? I won your "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" contest and didn't get jack shit.

It's a flux capacitor!

Wow - clearly we have to work harder to stump you guys. WhyMe is the winner with the first, most precise answer and yes, he will get a prize for his efforts - a Stanley FatMax hammer. Thanks all for your answers and stay tuned for more!

CR
its a word press

Calculator

Correct it is a military "dogtag" stamping machine. This looks like the Floor Model 6180 Addressograph used to emboss military id tags.

It's used to make belts!

It is an early encryption / cipher device.

It's used to emboss plates for printing the address labels on magazines

it plays music

Its a stamping machine

It looks very much like a Cryptograph machine. If not, it looks like it might be a turing machine.

Is it an old dog tag machine?

It is a Graphotype machine, used for making military dog tags.

Reminds me of some of the things from the second wizard of oz movie.

Graphotype Model 6181

from prevous issue

We have a winner!

And the guesses keep coming.

WhyMe is the winner-- great job! First correct, and most precise, answer. Well done.

WhyMe, I'll email you today for your real name and snail mail address, and we'll ship you your prize.

Stay tuned for more "Guess This Obscure Tool" posts to win more tools.

Thanks everyone,

Taylor
PopSci.com

I think it is an old belt lacing machine.

Some of the other guesses are really good.

John

This is an old Graphotype machine. Full details (including the picture used here) can be found at the URL of www.stampedout.net/information-050-6100.html - now can I have the hammer? :-)

Good guesses everyone. Thanks for playing.

@WhyMe - Nice work.

@VintageWest - Good link. There is some good info on that site. Though the picture used here is of my own graphotype, not from that site.

To the people who commented about dog tags - It is made by the same company that makes the dog tag machine and the dog tag machine is mechanically very similar except for the jaws that hold the plate being debossed. This one holds address label sized plates used to make address labels for the addressograph.

The dog tag machines that you typically see at machine gun shoots and army navy stores and the like are a little newer with a keypad and an electric motor turning the wheel of dies. The way it types is actually really neat - it will strike the letter the next time the letter comes around after the key is pressed. Does anyone know what the equivalent maximum word per minute speed would be for typing on those machines? It can't be very fast.

If anyone knows where I can get my hands on it's mate, the addressograph, that actually addresses with these metal plates, get in touch.

-Vin Marshall

Yay! I knew my obsession with old gadgets would be useful some day :D
I was so amazed when I came across an Addressograph for the first time that I did my best to learn more about these devices. So when I saw the picture on this website I recognized it right away.