Unusual Brass Quick Release Item?

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Hi All,

In this weeks haul was this very nicely made brass quick release for a small shackle.

I am clear how it works but wonder what application it might have?

Lovely script makers marks etc as shown.

Cheers, Martin

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Weighing on a scale comes to mind.  For detaching the scale-pan, perhaps on a steelyard.  The picture is of a little one, but they were often hung from a beam in the ceiling:

Dave

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

As it’s brass not for high loads. Possibly for a key ring / chain.

Robert.

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

You describe it as quick release, but another possibility may be remote or automatic release.

If it had load on it and the body dropped into a hole, the top of it is wider so would catch on the edge of the hole and trigger the release.

It might be useful to speculate on whether the King of the patent is a person’s name (the inventor) or the title of a monarch.

Does Grace’s Guide or similar have anything to say on the humility of Stephen?

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Ah, Grok says this:

Stephen Humble (c. 1786–1850) was an English Quaker schoolmaster, abolitionist, and educator from Derby, Derbyshire. Born in Sunderland, County Durham, he relocated to Derby around 1811 and taught at the Friends’ School (a Quaker institution) there for much of his career. He was a prominent figure in local anti-slavery efforts, collaborating with figures like Joseph Strutt and Mary Anne Galton (mother of Charles Darwin). Humble authored educational texts, including A Token for Children (adapted for schools) and works on arithmetic, and served as a correspondent for the British and Foreign School Society. He married Elizabeth Lloyd in 1816 and had several children; his family remained active in Derby’s Quaker community. He died in Derby on December 14, 1850, at age 64.

So we have a quick release shackle.  Humble was an extremely active anti-slavery campaigner; I think this item is related to that.  If so, a very interesting artifact, perhaps of interest to a museum.

Dave

[DiogenesParticipant @diogenes]

..it is very reminiscent of a Sailor’s knife of that period..

..also looks like it’s designed to be straightforward and unambiguous for opening in the dark / with cold wet fingers..

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Following on from Diogenes post it would be useful for releasing a flag to change it if you could have lots of shackles. While it would work well for keys (eg for a jailor) the shackle style is more in line with a builder’s or military use. Or railway.

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

Coincidence?

GB189700661

—

If we admit the connection, could the pictured item be something akin to a salesman’s sample? A model to demonstrate the principle in an office setting.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Looks very similar to an overwind protector, otherwise known as a detaching hook. Positioned twixt rope and cage in a mine winding setup. If the cage is wound too high the cams are pushed in and the rope comes free, the cage is then prevented from falling by some other mechanism. Similar set up shown herehttps://www.fifepits.co.uk/starter/safe-3.htm

[DC31k]

On DC31k Said:

Coincidence?

GB189700661

—

If we admit the connection, could the pictured item be something akin to a salesman’s sample? A model to demonstrate the principle in an office setting.

Very likely, I would say.

MichaelG.

[DC31kParticipant @dc31k]

See:

https: //www.flickr.com/photos/28709338@N04/25357092536

Also, for me, putting “King and Humble’s patent safety detaching hook” into a standard Google produces this as the AI overview:

“The King and Humble patent safety detaching hook is a crucial safety device used in colliery (mine) winding installations to prevent accidents from overwinding, where a miner’s lift cage or kibble is drawn past the normal landing stage and up into the headgear. The hook was originally patented by John King in 1867. Stephen Humble later made improvements to the design, which is why it is often referred to by both names.”

That would explain the “King’s Patent” on the one above.

I think a lot of the overview has been derived from this page:

http://www.dmm.org.uk/colleng/4406-01.htm

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Hi All, Thank you all so much for your diligent searches and comments, very much appreciated!

I would like to take this opportunity to really state how very much I do appreciate all the help you all give me on my almost constant “mystery items!”

I am very much aware that I am may be in great danger of becoming a royal pain in the derriere! If so please do let me know and I will stop!

Best Regards, Martin

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

I certainly welcome them, Martin!

I find them fascinating.

[DC31k]

On DC31k Said:

See:

https: //www.flickr.com/photos/28709338@N04/25357092536

Also, for me, putting “King and Humble’s patent safety detaching hook” into a standard Google produces this as the AI overview:

“The King and Humble patent safety detaching hook is a crucial safety device used in colliery (mine) winding installations to prevent accidents from overwinding, where a miner’s lift cage or kibble is drawn past the normal landing stage and up into the headgear. The hook was originally patented by John King in 1867. Stephen Humble later made improvements to the design, which is why it is often referred to by both names.”

That would explain the “King’s Patent” on the one above.

I think a lot of the overview has been derived from this page:

http://www.dmm.org.uk/colleng/4406-01.htm

On Michael Gilligan Said:

On DC31k Said:

Coincidence?

GB189700661

—

If we admit the connection, could the pictured item be something akin to a salesman’s sample? A model to demonstrate the principle in an office setting.

Very likely, I would say.

MichaelG.

Likewise.

Also a substantial miss by GROK.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Seems like a different version of the detaching hook is still manufactured

https://edwardormerodandco.com/products.html

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

I still wonder if Martin’s version is a salesman’s demonstration item or a promotional give-away. It seems too small for a hoist part. Even if it bronze rather than brass a shackle of that size won’t take much load.

Robert.

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Salesman’s item makes most sense to me also. Neat little item though!

Martin

[Dave Halford]

On Dave Halford Said:

Also a substantial miss by GROK.

AI has found someone named Stephen Humble and provided details of his life and achievements.

The miss is due to NS (natural stupidity).

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

Using AI is simple, only use it for things you already know the answer to.

All current AI’s are language models, not information or knowledge models. They, like, make words goodly. So if you need to produce a lot of content you are already familiar with it I’m sure it can be a super tool. But even then there are things to be mindful of. Like how most people have a distinct writing style, and some are very good at picking up on that…

The dangers arise when people use it uncritically, especially as a source of information. That’s like asking the average moron on the internet for help.

Which leads to my main argument against AI: The a**holes that control it. These guys does not have our best interests in mind. Just wait for the recession that they will inevitably cause and the subsequent bailout that we’ll have to pay for.

[Fulmen]

On Fulmen Said:

Which leads to my main argument against AI: The a**holes that control it.

Indeed, Grok’s master being a notably egregious example.

Ben Jennings has a good take on it:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2025/jul/10/ben-jennings-elon-musk-ai-chatbot-xai-x-antisemitism-cartoon

[Author]

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