STEELYARD
1897 - 1939A square shaft with graduations from 5 to 50 on one side & from 50 to 200 marked on the other surface and notches along upper and lower edges with a washer to prevent the tear-drop shaped weight from being removed from the shaft. The weight is suspended by a ring piece & is able to be located along the shaft.
The head of the shaft is a flattened, shield shaped section with three ''U'' toggles supported by through shafts. Two of the toggles have a single hook,the third has two fitted to swivel joints. Text stamped on head.
This steelyard is believed to have been used by Henry Buckingham in the late 1890s and to the 1930s on his Roleystone orchard Bangup. His father Thomas Buckingham Junior was known to have made furniture for a living in the 1860s. Henry pursued a career as a carpenter, wagon builder and wheelwright in Kelmscott. In c1897 he purchased part of his fathers Roleystone property and established the orchard Bangup. In 1905 he married Lucy J Fancote and had a daughter Sybil (Mrs Sybil Gwynne). In a copy of his diary he records on the 1st of March 1898 'Mending traps, making wagons and carts, mending Bob Marsh's carriage, etc.' This tool may have also been used from 1905 on the orchard
Details
Details
On head [200 / PATENT / WA----------D / MARKED]
This object is part of a collection that represents the important role Agricultural and Horticultural Societies have played in the supporting, promotion and development of rural industries in the City of Armadale as well as providing significant social events that brought large parts of the community together to celebrate the achievements of local families, orchards, farmers and horticultural. Agricultural and horticultural societies have operated in the City of Armadale since 1897 when the Kelmscott Agricultural Society was formed.
