The glass thingys are insulators for utility poles. They screw onto wooden crossarms. Either electric or telephone wires attach. You were holding the apple peeler sideways. There was a blue baby stroller, which goes for big bucks now. Gracious. Many generations.

The bench lathe handle you engaged is for cutting threads. There is a lever for feeding the carriage for turning diameter or boring a hole. Could do small projects on it. Ways need to be clean, screw needs cleaning and gibs adjusted. Get things moving smoothly.

I have an auction poster/flyer for my Grandfather farm auction from 1963. Cancer forced the sale. My dad worked for grandpa till he got a job at a big mill and made significantly more $$$. Dad had a soft spot for farming and seeing that flyer always brought a tear from the memories. God bless Americas farmers.

Laura, those glass things you saw in the box and that you keep digging up are glass insulators from old telegraph poles, phone poles and I think maybe electrical lines. I think the one you picked up was from an old telegraph line.

Auctions are both fun and bitter sweet for sure. Lots of memories and stories end with them. But its great to see your smiles admiring some of those pieces of history. Speaking of history, the rope maker, peeler, gun etc....please try to save even if only for decor. If you can save these for a few bucks, another generation to know where we come from, the history continues and is priceless. They are being trashed,