Larry Broestle, of North Royalton, Ohio, believes Item No. 1254 was used on a wood burner/coal stove to adjust the opening on the 6-inch flue pipe damper, and it is missing a spring. 1254 looks like a very antique cattle bloat tool used for releasing built-up gasses that cause cattle bloat. Can you help her determine what it is, and what it may have been used for? Let us know by emailing us at editorial@farmanddairy.com; or by mail to: Hazard a Guess, c/o Farm and Dairy, P.O.