pickersangel
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posted on October 17, 2000 10:46:14 AM new
Can anyone identify this wooden widget? I'm guessing it's a toy of some kind, but we're at a loss as to exactly what kind. There was originally a heavy string from the slot on the "handle" to the side of the ball opposite the large hole in the picture. The peg on the top of the "handle" fits loosely into the hole in the ball.
[ edited by pickersangel on Oct 17, 2000 10:47 AM ]
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Zazzie
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posted on October 17, 2000 10:49:53 AM new
There should be a string that attaches the ball to the stick---and the game is played while holding the stick in your hand you swing the ball up and try to fit them together as the ball arches back to you.
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Zazzie
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posted on October 17, 2000 10:54:09 AM new
Hey---I found a name and a picture for you.
Here they call it a Barrel and Peg game--but the ball part is shaped like a barrel---so I guess your's would be a Ball & Peg.
http://www.woodentoymuseum.com/games/barrel_peg.htm
[ edited by Zazzie on Oct 17, 2000 10:54 AM ]
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pickersangel
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posted on October 17, 2000 11:19:07 AM new
Thanks, that was the impression we had too, but couldn't make it work (maybe none of us has the hand-eye coordination required. LOL!). I think the thread that was on it must have been longer initially, as it was pretty much impossible for the ball to arc up and turn over enough to be caught on the peg. Also, the ball is quite heavy--it measures about 3" in diameter. I shudder at the thought of my kids swinging this thing around trying to catch it...definitely NOT an inside toy!
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Zazzie
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posted on October 17, 2000 11:22:03 AM new
You use more of a swinging motion with your arm rather than a flinging it in the air motion---it takes a lot of practice--but is really cool when you get the hang of it---I'm sure the length of string is very important
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pickersangel
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posted on October 17, 2000 11:22:30 AM new
Obviously, the children of yester-year were far more coordinated than we are. That looks exactly like this did when we got it (one of the kids removed the string, which had been thumbtacked in place). I see that the safety issue was also raised by the author of the web page. 
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zeenza
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posted on October 17, 2000 11:38:20 AM new
Wouldja price the widget for me? I am looking at some time on my hands in the coming months what with Ebay oversaturation.
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pickersangel
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posted on October 17, 2000 01:18:06 PM new
.....and then what will I do for entertainment????....
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anothertreasure
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posted on October 17, 2000 01:50:27 PM new
pickersangel - the kids of yesteryear (like me) were not necessarily more coordinated - just smarter - bonk themselves on the head once or twice and they'd let their little brother play with it.
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labbie1
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posted on October 17, 2000 06:24:42 PM new
I had one of these from Mexico. With practice, you can flip it up on the peg and then you can make it flip once and back down on the peg then twice, etc. etc.
It was a lot of fun once you learned how to do it and not bruise your wrists! LOL
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lotsafuzz
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posted on October 17, 2000 06:45:45 PM new
I remember those things....work of the devil, I tell ya'!
One of those balls was responsible for my first knocked out tooth. ACK!
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