A Really Neat Old Pinion

[Jersey Devil]

Talk about an interesting conversation piece, this neat old short pinion has what appears to be a model shop knob pressed on a production-period shaft. The knob is blued, and the shaft is in the white. Note the groove in the knob and the interrupted shaft, key identifiers of model shop knobs and production shafts respectively. The piece is pitted and shows extensive wear, but it's serviceable and still has some life left in it.

Any thoughts on this piece?

[Pederson]

This one also has a blued drum face. Not many of these that I am aware of. This one came on an early gas trap.

[Bubba1]

Pretty interesting . Supposedly modelshop pinions have the groove in the drum but the the shaft has uninterrupted grooves . Production pinions do not have the groove in the drum but has a circular cut in the shaft at the grooves. A long time collector mentioned that the pinion shaft is made separate from the drum and press fit together which would explain the anamoly . Unfortunately this is not supported by drawings and stages of manufacture from Springfield Armory. So what is it ? My assumption is a variation in modelshop design and / or very early production or both. Very nice find for both of ya'll. Thanks for sharing.

[JackC1425]

Sigh.. to have just ONE short pinion..