This puzzle appeared in a book called 'Puzzles Old and New' written by Professor Louis Hoffmann, and published in 1893. The book is regarded as a classic in terms of mechanical puzzles, and quite a few of the puzzles in the book have subsequently been described as Hoffmann puzzles, although in many cases he did not actually invent them.
This version of the famous Hoffmann Barrel and Ball puzzle consists of a blue barrel which contains a ball bearing. There is a hole in one end of the barrel, but the hole is too small to allow the ball to pass through. You are also supplied with a rod, the thin end of which will pass through the hole, into the barrel.
The challenge is to get the ball out of the barrel.
Condition: Like new but all the puzzles sold has one small mark on the rod and this is the information from the puzzle shop: "These little marks are something to do with the anodizing process, which gives the rod its green color. Every single rod has exactly the same marks on it." This mark is only visible when you are playing with the puzzle, not when displayed.
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