Folk Art Whirligig - Firemen - Oilmen?

This piece came from a local farm and used to sit on one of the fence posts coming into the drive. When the heirs sold the place they put everything up for sale including this piece. A friend bought it, then I acquired it from her. Exactly what are the men doing? Being I am in the middle of oil country I have always thought they were drilling or are roughnecks, a friend suggested firemen. I would like to set it up back outside, but the little original paint it still retains I would like to try and save. Or, is it best to enjoy it indoors?
Blades are tin with black ends, men are leather with green and red paint (most is gone), the structure is pine with red paint. It measures 13 3/4"w from end to propeller center tip, wing span is 13 3/4"x 4 3/4" at end
base is 5 3/4" x 10" x 7/8"h. Men are approx 6 1/2"h. The piece still spins really nicely. No rust on main parts. Leather does have repairs at the feet. The two tin pieces at the back used to hold it to a piece of wood attached to fence post the tips have a little rust. Thanks,

Eddie

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nice piece of folk art......maybe just farmers...

 

Thank you. One other reason I lean towards roughnecks was the shape of the hats which look 1930's. Farmers would be fine too though. Thanks again Komokwa appreciate the input.

 

i guess if you track down the style of hat.........

 

This is a link to 1930s oilmen on a site called OILMAN. The pics are of Texas.
https://oilmanmagazine.com/working-the-tongs-west-texas-1930s/

Hope it works.

Eddie

 

Cranking the water pump on an old, imaginary, fire engine....maybe.
I'd keep it inside now.

 

This is nice enough that it should live inside as a work of art from here on out. I would do nothing beyond a gentle cleaning and a coat of paste wax. As to what the men are doing, I don't see anything beyond the illusion that they are making the fan blade turn.

 

They are ...at that !!!

 

Thank you. I had no idea about the paste wax. Will have to do that. I guess it is best to keep it indoors.

 

If you wax the wood and give the metal a little oil......why not put it outside & enjoy the way it was meant to live it's life......
could that be so bad ?

 

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Maybe under cover?

 

I had really thought I wanted it outside, but after reading some of the comments and giving it some thought.. I think indoors is the best way to go. I like verybrad's idea and suggestion of the paste wax. It will allow the piece to survive for someone else in future and, I will get to enjoy it throughout the year. Thanks everyone for the input.

 

You now..... What made me say fireman was their hats but just realizing they had a front brim so no.
I think they are just cranking the blades as Brad said.
I'd buy this too.
With all the stuff I've built I've never gotten around to do such things though I've had design ideas.

 

Have you posted any of the items you have built? If so would you share the link?

 

We had a thread going that, I think Gila started. Talent in the title I think..... 'Show us your talents' maybe?
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You can start a new one if you wish. Just use #2 or TWO in it.
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Thank you for asking.

 

lol My talent is buying... However, I could start a thread for others to upload their creations. What forum would that fall under?

 

I'd say General because it will be all over the place.

 

I started or created a Thread under General.

 

OK!
You must've made something.
Painted a picture, taken great photos or some such??