Hot Rods Anyone ever seen these?

Came off my grandpa's 36 Chevy. Some kind of aftermarket thumb assist for turning I'm guessing. Was wondering if anyone else had some.

 

Never seen them, I don't know about sticking my thumb in one of em.

 

I never saw those before, either. If they're some kind of factory accessory item or an aftermarket thing made specifically to fit those early Chevy's, they'd be worth a fortune to the lowrider bomb crowd.

 

@Moriarity

Can you enlarge this

 

Even enlarged I have no clue what they are.
Side views would be helpful.

 

Do they come apart? Did they come from the steering wheel? Some sort of bolt on knurl to make for a better grip? They are shiny and should not be discounted.

 

All of you behind the PC and imagine your thumb in the big hole and index finger and middle finger in the two indents . Now imagine it,s late night 1936 and your out in the boonies on a long straight road and you fall asleep behind the wheel . At least your still going in a straight line.

 

Looks like a good way to end up with broken thumbs.

 

as the section line road makes a 90.

 

@anthony myrick @Moriarity @Bandit Billy you guys ever seen these before?

 

Look to be one piece to me, so how do you get them on a steering wheel?

 

Would make a killer instrument bezel, how big are they?

 

they are shiney...gotta make the car go faster....

 

I can't imagine how they would be used. Let's see, do I want to break my thumb or do I want to scratch the heck out of my steering wheel.

 

Definitely a pair of those

 

Those are a mystery within an enigma.
I'm not feeling them as 'steering wheel related'. If they were bundled together with other loose parts for the '36 Chevy, I can imagine that they might not be car parts at all. *?*
I just had a thought ** If that '36 happens to be a pickup, maybe they could be some kind of tailgate chain trim.

 

Looks like they are almost 90 degrees, much tighter than the wheel diameter you drew (11 inch paper?).
Some WA guesses, just to offer other areas to consider
Hood corner lift, interior trim or welting corner, wiring or hose routing, visor handle, cowl vent handle or guide

 

Looks to me like they would fit on something a lot smaller than a steering wheel. Show us a pic of the back side.

 

If you can put any stock in AI ..........

J.C. Whitney likely sold steering wheel thumb rings, which were a popular vintage car accessory designed to improve grip and comfort. While current online searches for specific J.C. Whitney branded thumb rings are difficult, the company was known for offering a vast array of unique and quirky automotive parts and accessories through its famous catalog.
Description of the thumb ring accessory:

• Purpose: The small metal or plastic rings were fitted to the back of the steering wheel at the "10 and 2" positions, where a driver's thumbs would naturally rest. They gave the driver a more secure, tactile point of contact, especially on smooth, vintage steering wheels.
• Variety and branding: The design of thumb rings varied from plain metal to decorative versions, some featuring custom engravings or brand logos. Many of these vintage accessories were not specifically branded, though they were sold through major catalogs like J.C. Whitney, Western Auto, and others.
• Market: The rings were marketed as an easy-to-install, universal accessory that fit a wide range of vehicles, allowing any enthusiast to personalize their ride.

and then there's always this:

 

Or maybe a pair of early self protection devices, later know and improved to "brass knuckles", just a WAG....

 

I got no clue

other than a contraceptive

 

Probably something you found on JC Whitney, at Western Auto, Pep Boys or Coast to Coast back in the 50's. In the same area of the auto parts section where you found the suicide knobs/ neckers knobs and curb feelers and other fru fru.
About the only good I can see in them is that they give you a larger area for your hand to grip going down long straight roads helping cut down on hand and finger cramps that a lot of skinny steering wheels give or at least are uncomfortable for me. I had a 59 Corvette wheel in my 48 for a long time and loved the looks of it but the rim is so skinny it made my hands cramp up.

 

I think the AI explanation makes sense, sort of how some newer vehicles have a fat spot on the steering wheel rim on each side. Provides an easy reference for position and possibly would prevent slippage on a thin/smooth wheel. I don't think it was intended to have digits inserted in the holes, though

 

Hello,

A long time ago, a friend of my dad’s gave him a set of custom made napkin rings that looked similar. The smooth shaped, rings propped up by the napkins were heavy enough to keep the shape of the cloth napkins in line and placement. The smooth edges were polished and looked good when they were placed on the fancy dinner our mom displayed one evening for a holiday dinner. A one of a kind pour and polish version, not seen at stores.

As teenagers, we thought napkin rings were silly, but the craftsmanship or cast pouring and/or machining was outstanding. In the last two years of college, the class had to explore lost wax casting and now, I knew how those rings could have been made. Shape the wax in the shape desired.

Old Rose Bowl Swap Meet found stainless steel shaping tools

Set up the lost wax design in the liquid mold apparatus and pour. Then using a variety of shaping and buffing wheels, smooth to the clean lines and curves. We made custom made rings for jewelry and could have designed larger pieces out of “more wax.”

Jnaki

These types of college classes allowed us to experiment with different designs using wax as a shaping object and then the hot melted metal pour made the wax go away and in its place, the product, ready for more defining shaping. YRMV

On the other hand, as a little kid, the old cars our dad and his friends had showed up with shiny, windshield wiper attachments around the base of the motor lever sticking out of the paneling. They were always made in shiny chrome. Perhaps, it is a windshield wiper base accessory from the factories.

 

Couple more pics. These were in a box that said they came off a 36 chevy steering wheel. After market I'd say. Really don't know. That's just what the note said. My gramps was a traveling Kendall Motor Oil salesman. They don't fit my 64 Comet though. . . They say Pat. Appld. For on them. I assume it means patent applied for. . .

 

They're 2 piece. I posted some more pics of the backside. Surprised by the interest in them. . .

 

I don't have a 36 Chevy to see if they fit but they don't fit my 64 Comet. . .

 

Gramps died in 42 so it was before that. . .

 

Maybe for driver training? 10 & 2 comments.