What is it #248? (Picture hanger)

derekleffew

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Hopefully this will stump even some of our elder members.

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What are these things and how are/were they used?

As always, students only for one week please.
 
Based on the size and rounded end, I'd guess some sort of bracket for .75"/1" conduit. Other than that I haven't a clue.
 
Very good, scapino . The "rounded molding on some walls" is known as picture rail.

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Picture Rail Moulding Hooks: No Holes in the Wall

More modern institutional buildings were built with a slot in the wall, as described below.
We used those as picture hangers. The curved, top area would go into a slot in a track, and the bottom, straighter portion is to hook the picture wire.

My university was overly protective of its dorm room walls, all of which were equipped with such a track (but I remember the angled part fitting into the slot, and the curved part hanging down to catch the wire). These were sold at all the bookstores, for ~12¢ each, IIRC. Why I've kept them for ~30 years remains a mystery.
 
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Picture rail! That was the word I was looking for, but couldn't quite remember.... :)

We have a space downstairs in our facility, with picture rail moulding all around, where we sometimes have art displays. Needless to say, I have MANY boxes of those little hangers.

Kurt
 
bent metal with 3 holes in it
There's only one hole in each hanger, through which to insert a #4 screw if desired, to make the hanger more secure.
 

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