Shearing Hand Piece

c. 1940
Overview

A metal shearing hand piece that has a rotating shaft (back joint) at one end that is covered with a leather guard. The middle section of the handpiece is a round rod which is covered with leather and which then widens into a hand shape with three movable prongs.

Historical information

The hand piece was connected at the back joint to a rotating shaft mounted in the barrel with a universal joining cog at one end and a crank pin at the other. This mechanism transferred the rotational power from vertical to horizontal. This allowed a sideways motion to the forks of the handpiece to be generated which caused the cutter to pass backwards and forwards across the comb. Different sized comb cutters could be attached to the three prongs which were called 'chicken feet'. On the top of the hand piece is a tensioning knob which adjusted the cutting blade pressure.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-202-HS1995.13
Item type
Tools
Material
Cast Iron
Leather
Width
33 cm
Height or length
6.5000 cm
Depth
5.5000 cm
Inscriptions and markings

Underneath the hand piece is engraved in 4 lines "LISTER", "8", "HARDENED", "20379"

On the shaft on the back joint is engraved "LISTER".

Contextual information

Used on most farms in mid 20th century until electric plants came into use in latter years. It was a much used hand piece from a petrol shearing plant.

Year
Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Last modified
Friday, 28 August, 2026
Completeness
94
Permissions

Please contact the Katanning Historical Society for reproduction of image.

Attribution requirements

Courtesy of Katanning Historical Society.

Katanning Historical Society

Katanning Historical Society

Side view of Shearing Hand Piece
Side view of Shearing Hand Piece
Detail of back joint Shearing Hand Piece
Detail of Back Joint of Shearing Hand Piece
Detail of Back Joint of Shearing Hand Piece
Detail of Back Joint of Shearing Hand Piece

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