eepee wrote:6 Was this answered fully?
I would say they are film clips but not for hanging as suggested.
When processing FILM film (as opposed to PUNY still film) the processing chamber needs to run without interruption otherwise catastrophe results!
The easiest way to maintain continuity was to clip a film on to the previous. If I am right about the clips, judging by the size, they are probably for 16mm film.
That is an interesting idea and I am not familiar with cine film processing.
I am aware that still film (at least, in larger labs) is usually processed continuously, with one roll being spliced onto the next, so there may not be much difference between the processing of still and cine film. I have seen a small, high-street machine in use where the film was spliced, using tape, onto a plastic leader that was drawn through the tanks. I can see how a metal clip could have been similarly used.
I do not think that my clips were used in this way as they only clip one end; they cannot be used to clip one end of film to another. Another clue is that the smaller clip is weighted. The points are about 15.5mm apart. I found an old piece of 35mm film and cut some to 16mm wide to see if the clips would grip. The film pulls out very easily so it seems these clips will only work on wider film.
One thing I do not know the purpose of is a couple of slots at the top of the hook part of the larger clip. The ears on the smaller clip will, sort of, link with these slots but I do not think that they are secure enough to be relied upon. It is likely that two of the larger clips would link more securely but I do not have another one so cannot check.
It is possible that these were sold for more than one purpose. Similar items are available today for hanging film for drying,
https://www.firstcall-photographic.co.u ... -of-2/p788 .
I had no idea that blind people were employed in darkrooms. It makes a lot of sense.
Julian F. G. W.