Here's something you do not see too often. A Duff-Norton X3530 No. 517 15 ton railroad jack. It came out of a basement in South Philly. I'm guessing it is c.1910 - 1950.

45 pounds. Unsure what parts are cast iron and what are steel. Value $200-$400. I'll sell or trade it within the decade but for now it is in the corner of the kitchen.

Way cool!

Woodman, you have cool and unique stuff!

Cool!

I've heard my jumble of junk described otherwise

Out of the same basement a 20.4 pound 6' Bicknell pry bar rollmarked BELL SYSTEMS. And this neat jointer (page from 1938 catalogue attached)

That would be fun to restore.

The 1939 catalogue lists the #517 at 40 lbs. but mine is 45 lbs. That may mean pre-1939 ... It's got the same curved integral handle; later models have a bolt-on handle. I'll leave restoration to others; I've seen some detracting jobs and am sure my efforts would likewise diminish value. But it jacks smoothly and has no cracks.

Throw that jack in the car, use it to change tires.

I remember seeing one very similar to that at my grandfather's farm. It was used to jack up the tractor axle if he had to remove the wheel to change that big rear tire. He had a '48 model Allis Chalmers. That was a looong time ago.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: fiasconva,

Duff-Norton is still making jacks.