Identifying 1950's shower knob

[George517]

Can anyone tell me what this little knob with no handle is for? Just bought a 1950's house and this shower only puts out scolding hot water. Also, what is the purpose of the spout in the last picture?

 

[Geofd]

this looks very much like a valve made in Braintree ma send these pics to symmons industries the tear drop handle was almost a dead giveaway im guessing the top piece is a divireter and the bottom is a tub spout if its a symmons the diverter would push in the models I have dealt with had a little plastic handle on it so you could turn it left or right to increase or decrease volume be interested to know if its a symmons

 

[Geofd]

Can anyone tell me what this little knob with no handle is for? Just bought a 1950's house and this shower only puts out scolding hot water. Also, what is the purpose of the spout in the last picture?View attachment 19519 View attachment 19520 View attachment 19521

I contacted symmons to see what they say...

 

[SiV]

Looks like an old symmons, the push button is a diverter for the spout on the bottom which is a foot wash

 

[George517]

Thank y'all for identifying it. Any thoughts on why I'm only getting scalding hot water?

 

[Geofd]

yes...there is a cylinder in the stem that moves back and forth when new you can shake it and hear it sliding back and forth...so it maybe stuck.....if its the original I would change it...or you can give it a tap on the bottom and it will free up then soak it in vinegar I think that maybe a (c-5)stem you may have integral stops on the valve....they are big flat head (brass) screws so be careful they can strip out if your screw driver is to small....if they don't move tap the back of the screw driver and turn at the same time
don't be afraid to give it a good tap....