C.O.C.A. Times

the owner is because they have something that might
fit in. More times than not, the item they want to sell
me ( or just give to me) isn't really worth adding to the
place. But that changed last October. My fantastic find
was about to happen.
A gentleman came in to the Old Sled Works when I
wasn't there and told my manager that he had a coin-
operated machine that I might be interested in. He left
his name and number and a blurry photocopy of him-
self standing alongside several items including this ma-
chine. It looked like a short grandfather 's clock which
really didn't excite me initially. As a courtesy, I called
the man and asked him about his item. He proceeded
to tell me that he pulled this 1 cent machine and some
other antiques out of a damp restaurant basement near
Hershey, PA. He said it was a strength tester and it was
apparently made by the "CB" company" because those
were the letters in some of the ornate nickel castings.
Nickel castings? "CB" company? 1 cent? Sounded in-
teresting.
We made arrangements to meet at his place the next
day. I wasted no time since I found out he was an an-
tique dealer and perhaps he would offer the machine
to someone else if I didn't express real interest. When
I got to his house, he led me to his garage. As the door
was opening, I felt like a kid getting ready to open a big
birthday present. However, disappointment came over
my face when in front of me was this entire machine,
completely dismantled, and laying on the floor in piec-
es. "I was going to restore this myself but lost interest"
he admitted to me. "I know how it goes back together"
he said when he saw that I was losing interest.
I looked over the pile of old oak and metal pieces for
awhile, everything neatly arranged. "What do you want
for it, as is" I asked. He hesitated briefly and then said
"$250 fair?"
"Let's box it up, I'll take a chance." I gave the man
the money, loaded up and left. On the 20 minute drive
home, it dawned on me. I realized "CB" was short for
Caille Brothers. And after a few days ofresearch, I dis-
covered that in fact it was a c.1910 floor model Cail le
Mascot, combination grip and lung tester. Rough but
definitely restorable.
When I had time, I attempted to re-assemble the
cabinet and mechanism. Did a pretty good job, thanks
to some pictures that Jim Grimwade sent me of his
machines. Interestingly, I had never seen one of these
machines before in my life and over the next several
months I have seen probably 4 or 5 different ones! And
a few have sold at auction ... WOW! At $250, I think I
did alright.
Currently, it is being put back together and repaired
by a professional furniture restorer from my area. I
didn't want to screw it up! I'm not having a full blown
restoration job done, I like it in its original condition
and finish. When complete, I plan on displaying it in
my father's office as he owns the office building across
the street from the Old Sled Works where he and I work
everyday.The daily sight of the machine will remind
me that there could be other treasures out there.
Another story on next page
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