FS: Old lineman's tool Bell System tensionmeter

Call, voice, text Ed at 423-330-2938 to see it and make an offer.

Western Electric AT&T Bell System Deflection Dynamometer tension gauge strand tensionmeter (LaFayette, GA)

Patents 1631143 June 7, 1927 & 1,722,036 July 23, 1929

This vintage collectible AT&T Bell System / Western Electric deflection dynamometer is also referred to as a cable tension gauge or strand tensionmeter (tension meter).

Modern commercially available versions of this tool are described as being used to quickly measure the tension of of 1/4 in. (6.6 M), 5/16 in. (6 M), 3/8 in. (10 M) and 7/16 in. (16 M) utilities grade, zinc coated and other guy wires and messenger cables presumably having less than 10,000 lbs. of tension per the ASTM A-475 standard.

The tool is hand engraved on the crossbar with numbers I assume to be the desired normal tension ranges for 10M & 16M measurements.

It is marked with the word "BELL SYSTEM", the number "H324" (presumably the serial number), and the patent numbers "1631143" & "1722036", which were granted on June 7, 1927 and July 23, 1929, respectively.

You can see the patent documents and drawings online here:
http://www.google.com/paten...
http://www.google.com/paten...

The tool is in very good shape overall, with the worst flaw being a small crack and clouding of the gauge's plastic bezel, which can be greatly improved with proper cleaning and restoration, which I am leaving to the buyer or his expert of choice.

The weight of the tool is about 8 pounds.

If you know this tool, you'll know what modern equivalents sell for.

Thanks for looking!