Reel, Chalk
Chalk line reel, Church Family, Mount Lebanon, NY
Description
A between-centers turned maple handle with a cylindrical tenon at end over which a between-centers turned spool is fitted. A circular rebate is apparently turned into the handle tenon and a rectangular block mortised through the walls of the spool center, off center, such that with the spool in place on the handle tenon, the rectangular block was driven into the mortise, through the rebate, and into the center mortise, thereby locking the spool in place but allowing it to rotate freely. The spool is wound with a length of cotton cord. Since the cord is chalk free, the cord may have been added here or the device was never actually used.