Anyone familiar with antique veterinary tools?

Does anyone have any idea about the purpose of this tool? It appears to be cast iron, which at one time had some type of top layer that has worn away (nickel, chrome, etc?).

It's fully marked, and I've found information about the maker. But I have no idea what kind of instrument it is, and if I have the whole thing. The knobs (cleats?) on the outside of the ends make me think that there are pieces missing which would have attached there.

Here is the bio of the creator: http://rutherfordvet.com/about-us/history.html

I did try to contact them, but got no response. If no one knows what the tool is, could you give me pointers on how to search for the patent? I tried looking this up by inventor name and patent number at the US government patent site, but had no luck.

If you have any ideas or can point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it.

Open


Closed


Back side. The tension knob is unfortunately rusted in place.


Dr. Frank E. Rutherford, Maker, Patented


Pat. 07


Dallas, Tex - DRS. R. & R. Co. -
Coincidentally, there is a letter from Dr. Rutherford with the company name listed now on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1912-DR-FRANK-RUTHERFORD-VETERINARY-LETTER-DALLAS-TEXAS-/140423037966

 

HA - After typing all that out, I just noticed the drawing on the letter from the eBay auction:


So, would anyone agree that's what this is? I looked up horse mouth speculums online. There would have been a pair of my pieces, with inserts that attached to the ends and connected through the mouth, and straps to hold everything in place?

 

This is probably the patent.

http://www.google.com/patents/US862020

Note it was patented in 1907. The "07" goes with the "Pat. 07" on your piece. Click the image for a larger picture.

Here's a patent office gazette of that time telling about it.
http://books.google.com/books?id=lW...utherford" veterinary speculum patent&f=false

--- Susan

 

Someone has to say that that is straight from the horse's mouth................



I'll get me coat................

 

WOW. Thanks so much for finding that patent. I couldn't figure out the patent site's search function at all. Then I saw the link to their "how to search" tutorial, which said it would take at minimum 35 minutes to complete.

I appreciate the help!

 

LOL, how times have changed

 

Well, yeah, times have changed for horse mouth speculums but . . . .

 

That poor horse. It looks high.

Thanks for posting that pic. I did a reverse-image search and found its original blog page. I don't know much about horse health issues, and it was an interesting read. I had no idea their teeth are prone to becoming misshapen. I thought a tool like this would be used for dental emergencies / exams / cleanings. I had no idea that many horses require their teeth to be frequently ground down smooth - with a tool that attaches to what appears to be a hand-held power drill.

Eeeek.

Here's the page, if anyone is curious:

http://frommyfrontporchinthemountains.blogspot.com/2010/07/never-look-gift-horse-in-mouthor-day.html

 

We horsey folks call it floating the teeth

 

I'm curious about something -- does the same veterinarian who comes to look after the horses' teeth also look after their other health needs during the year? What I'm trying to determine is if the horses are familiar with and "like" the same veterinarian when it's just a routine health check-up and not doing something as "involved" as doing a horse's teeth.

 

Yes the large animal vet. does colicks aka belly aches,twists,etc.,floats teeth,gives shots and surgeries,etc.. Farriers used to float teeth too but the Veterianary Assoc. put a stop to it.

PS
That contraption I posted a pic of looks a bit excessive. A routine float the vet uses a simple aparatas, looks like this horse needed extensive dental work.

 

Take it from a patent lawyer, your 'mistake' was to try the USPTO site first. Use Google patents next time - I do. and I agree with Lady Branch that the patent is for this item ... except you pics show only 1/4 of the invention that the patent claim covers. You are missing the "mouth pieces" that extend between a *pair* of the ratcheted parts shown in your pictures. So, incomplete, but it is part of that speculum.

 

Oh...I miss SOS......

Hey Dawnno.....your enthusiasm is lauded.... but dredging up a thread from Sept 2014.. 4 1/2 years ago....is maybe not the best use of your talent.
While Unclechuck is still around...alive and kicking.....most threads this old have been put to bed a long time ago...

Here's a trick.....or tip...
at the bottom left of every post is the date it was posted.....so right away you can tell how long its been around...
& clicking on the avatar of the person you're trying to give information to ....if you're answering someone and not just posting extra information....will show ...at the bottom, if this person is still active....and when they last were around.

There's really nothing 'wrong' with pulling up a long expired thread......but most times the original poster is long gone.....

 

Agree. Just missed the date or wasn't paying attention. Thx. of course still feeling my way around. BTW, it was one of your answers that pulled me into this site when I googled a tribal art issue, and so I laud your talents. Hope to 'de throne' you some day.

 

Hi Dawnno.......

Welcome to Antiquers!

Until Komo's post, I never noticed the date either!! (and, it's not the first time I've done that)

 

Thank you 4 your kind words !
While we do have some Kings & Queens here......... no one member of any stripe rises above the crowd ...or wears a crown !
That said , I bow to many members here who's intelligence & wisdom far outweighs my own, & I know my place.
Over time , you too will find your place in this ever evolving Game of Thrones, so stick around & enjoy the ride !!!

 

I'd give you a 'Like' for that....but it would toss the 'humble' right out the window !!
Heehehehe!!!!!!!!

 

gettin in the mood for St Pats day, are we !!!