Identification help - old farm doodad

[gocards1177]

I inherited a bunch of rusty old farm collectibles from a recently deceased uncle. This is the only thing I can identify. The oval shaped gray piece is some sort of stone so I thought maybe a sharpener of some kind? I can make out "McCormick-dee....chica" but the plate is covered by some sort of crusty material.
Thanks!

 

[Egon]

Grindstone for sickle bars.

 

[davesl708]

Grindstone for sickle bars.

Are you sure?? Looks like a thing-a-ma-jig. :confused3:

 

[RickB]

Are you sure?? Looks like a thing-a-ma-jig. :confused3:

Yeah, he is sure, and I am, too.

 

[gocards1177]

Ah very cool and thanks! Man, sure does make me appreciate modern tools. I don't think I would have made it very far back when men were men, women were men, and children were men.

 

[ovrszd]

Yeah it's a sickle sharpener. The V face of the stone allows two edges to be sharpened at once.

Not sure how this one was driven?? All I saw were electric motor driven. This one is designed to be clamped to a bench. But can't figure out the drive system??

Edit: Forgot to mention, I believe this company was in Chicago. Thus the letters "chica" visible on the case.

 

[Egon]

Hand crank.

[video]https://www.google.ca/search?q=hand+cranked+sickle+bar+grinder&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-ca&client=safari#imgrc=OoQe93h4ua_kpM:[/video]

 

[bcp]

Bruce

 

[mikeman1]

cool. thanks for sharing the video.

 

[6thgpSF]

that video is friggin neat ! russ

 

[ovrszd]

If you ever have a question about anything just PM Bruce or ask on one of the threads he's participating in. The man has epic "search" talents and always comes up with just the right reference. We are very fortunate to have him here on TBN. Thanks Bruce for all you do!!!!! :thumbsup:

 

[TractorGuy]

The video find is very cool! This sickle bar sharpener is before my time. We had a sickle bar mower for our tractor but I don't remember ever using it.

Ah very cool and thanks! Man, sure does make me appreciate modern tools. I don't think I would have made it very far back when men were men, women were men, and children were men.

I resemble that remark. Was taught to drive the Farmall Super A to pull tobacco sleds when I was 8 and let loose in a 49 Dodge PU when I was 12. I had to stand up to reach the pedals on the tractor and sit on the edge of the seat to drive the truck. If it didn't work or run we had to figure out how to fix it or,,, it didn't work or run.