These whale harpoons belonged to Arthur Ashby. The longer one was his personal hand-forged harpoon. Arthur Ashby was a harpoonist written about in the book, "Killers of Eden". They were handed down to his son, Norman Ashby who gave them to the donor's father for safe-keeping as he did not have a permanent residence. Two harpoons. .1 is a hand held iron harpoon. It is very long with an open neck at one end and a large blade at the other. .2 is smaller and was used in harpoon guns. It is made of brass with a pointed end.whaling harpoons ashby-arthur maritime-technology

Sepia photograph, head & shoulders, of Thomas Pearce in wood frame with painted gold inner edge. On a label underneath photo : The late Thomas Pearce who designed and hand forged Main Entrance Gates at 'Fortuna'. On a label attached to back of photograph: Presented to Commanding Oficer, Army Survey Regiment Lt-Col R. Van den Tol, by the Grand children of the late Thomas Pearce on the occasion of unveiling of Plaque to his memory. 9th September 1990

Tools like these tongs were essential in blacksmithing and metalworking during the period they were made. They were designed to grasp and manipulate heated metal during the forging process. The handmade quality, combined with the visible signs of wear and patina, suggests that these tongs were produced locally by a skilled craftsman and saw extensive use in an industrial or artisan setting. They now serve as a historical artifact that offers insight into the traditional methods of metal fabrication and the day-to-day challenges faced by historical tradespeople.These tongs are a robust, hand-forged pair of tools typical of a blacksmith’s workshop. They exhibit a utilitarian design with two elongated arms that converge into a pair of working jaws. The tongs show a slightly irregular, handcrafted appearance—each jaw has a subtly different contour suggesting they were individually shaped rather than mass-produced. A central pivot joins the arms, and wear marks along the gripping surfaces indicate they were used frequently in heavy-duty metalwork.tongs, blacksmith, commercial equipment

Hand cultivators like this were widely used in the 19th and early 20th centuries for small-scale gardening and farming. They were commonly used for breaking up compacted soil, aerating roots, and pulling weeds. This type of tool was often found in home gardens, farms, and market gardens, particularly before mechanized farming became widespread. The hand-forged and chain-wrapped handle suggests it may have been custom-made or repaired over time. The rusted patina and wear indicate extensive outdoor exposure, likely from long-term use in gardening or farming settings.This is a handheld gardening cultivator, used for loosening soil, removing weeds, or aerating garden beds. It features four curved metal tines, which are slightly bent at the ends for digging and raking soil effectively. The handle is metal, likely made from wrought iron or steel, and has a loop at the end, possibly for hanging storage. A decorative chain-wrapped grip is attached around the handle, likely for added grip or reinforcement. The tool shows significant signs of rust and wear, indicating age and long-term use.garden fork, gardening, household item, farm equipment

This butcher’s knife was likely used for meat processing, cutting large joints, or skinning in a butcher’s shop, farm, or homestead kitchen. The straight edge and thick blade suggest it was meant for precise slicing rather than heavy chopping. The missing handle indicates either extensive use, breakage, or repurposing over time. The rust and aged patina suggest it could date back to the late 19th or early 20th century.This is a vintage butcher’s knife with a broad, blunt-tipped blade and a rounded handle end. The blade appears to be hand-forged, exhibiting signs of age, wear, and rust on its darkened metal surface. The handle is missing, leaving a hole at the base where a wooden or bone handle was likely once attached. The blade is straight edged, designed for cutting or slicing meat, though its current state suggests it may have been heavily used or repurposed over time. Butchers knife made from hoop iron in the early 1930's by CJ. LANGE, Natimukbutcher, meat, carcass, livestock, commercial item

A froe was used for splitting, or riving, wood in the early days and was a skill practiced by craftsmen who made boards, shingles, c lapboards, fences, basket splints, chair parts, wagon spokes, lath, and more. Our ancestors used axes, gluts or wedges, froes, draw knives and spelk planes for splitting wood.   The froe was designed in many sizes and designs for splitting timber. It is typically an L-shaped tool made up of a wedge-shaped blade with a dull, but not blunt, knife edge and a wood handle. Blades were usually straight with a socket forged at one end for a handle, but curved blades were also made. Most handles were round and tapered and were inserted up through this socket. But some froes had eyes similar to those on axes for handles that were wedged. The froe handle is held in an upright position in one hand while the other hand drives the top of the blade downward with a wood froe club or mallet. After a split is started, the froe is wiggled downward to lengthen it until the split is complete. Most old froes were hand forged, but they were also available in many catalogues. The 1873 D.R. Barton American catalogue offered straight froes at 12 1/2 cents per inch. You can still buy new froes from many tool manufacturers today.A tool that has not changed in design or use since its inception several hundred years ago to split timber for various uses.Froe, also called cooper's froe or stave froe, without handle.Noneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, froe, cooper's froe, stave froe, wood splitter, carpenders tools, coopers tool, splitting timber

This candle bracket was recovered from the wreck of the sailing ship Loch Ard after the to the disaster in 1878. The bracket has been hand forged into a pleasing shape and design. The candle holder on the arm of the bracket cn swivel from side to side allowing the light to be adjusted. LOCH ARD 1873-1878 – The Scottish-built clipper ship Loch Ard was bound for Melbourne in 1878 with 54 people on board. The mixed cargo it carried included items for the 1880 International Exhibition in Melbourne, one of which was the now famous Majorca ware Minton ‘Peacock’ statue. The Loch Ard was wrecked on June 1st when the ship crashed into Mutton Bird Island, east of Port Campbell. The only survivors were Tom Pearce, a crew member, and Eva Carmichael, a young passenger who was rescued by Pearce. The Gibsons, owners of nearby Glenample Homestead, cared for Tom, and for Eva who stayed longer before returning to Ireland. The wreck of the Loch Ard was discovered in 1967, before the introduction of the Victorian historic shipwreck legislation. In 1969 it was decided that all recovered material should be lodged with the Receiver of Wrecks. In 1980 Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum Divers received a permit to recover artefacts from the wreck to safeguard them from looters. In 1982 the site was listed as a Historic Shipwreck, and the Maritime Archaeology Unit recovered loose artefact material. The candle bracket is an example of light fittings from the ship ‘Loch Ard’ or from part of the ship’s cargo, imported for use in Colonial Victoria in the 19th to early 20th century. Flagstaff Hill’s collection of artefacts from LOCH ARD is significant for being one of the largest collections of artefacts from this shipwreck in Victoria. It is significant for its association with the shipwreck, which is on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR S417). The collection is significant because of the relationship between the objects, as together they have a high potential to interpret the story of the LOCH ARD. The LOCH ARD collection is archaeologically significant as the remains of a large international passenger and cargo ship. The LOCH ARD collection is historically significant for representing aspects of Victoria’s shipping history and its potential to interpret sub-theme 1.5 of Victoria’s Framework of Historical Themes (living with natural processes). The collection is also historically significant for its association with the LOCH ARD, which was one of the worst and best known shipwrecks in Victoria’s history. Candle bracket, bronze with fancy floral design. Bracket has been hand wrought with varying widths of flat iron. Bracket’s arm swivels on a pin front of bracket. Bracket was recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck artefact, loch ard, victoria, eva carmichael, tom pearce, antique, candle holder, candle bracket, candlestick holder, lighting, ship lighting, ship hardware

An adze is an ancient and versatile cutting tool and has been in use for thousands of years. Adze are similar to an axe but with the cutting edge perpendicular to the handle rather than parallel. They have been used since the Stone Age. Adzes are hand tools used for smoothing or carving wood. The subject item was made by Ward & Payne of the Limbrick Works at Hillsborough, Sheffield England manufacturers of hand-forged tools. Their trademark registered in 1850 was a Letter "W" & "P" stamped into the steel. The firm was established by David Ward (1767-1822) in 1803 the company became David Ward & Sons, in 1837 after Ward's son Edward joined the firm. In 1845 Henry Payne the founder's son-in-law became a partner but died in 1850 after which the company reverted to the Ward family. The business then concentrated on making carving tools, chisels and gouges. In 1882 David Ward's grandson David Ward Jr. (1835-1889) purchased land and built a factory at Sheffield North known as the "Limerick Wheel". For a time Wards operated from both 106-114 West Street Sheffield and at Limbrick Road, Hillsborough on the river Loxley. By 1911 they had expanded into making spades, forks, sheep shears and many other types of edged tools including drills and wood planes. In 1967 Wilkinson Sword purchased all the company's share capital and continued to sell Ward & Payne tools until 1970 when a fire burned the factory down and housing development was built on the site.The subject item is significant as it gives a snapshot of the technological development of sailing ships and their operation before steam-powered vessels took over around the world. Tools such as the subject item demonstrate the traditional craftsmanship and skill of the shipwright and the aesthetic quality of the timber ships designs of the time. Adze with wooden handle curved painted green with patent number and maker's name inscribed on inside curve of blade. Inscribed "Patd 561 Ward" "2w". flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, smoothing tool, hand tool, carpenders tool, adze, coopers tool, woodworking tools

Caulking is the traditional technique used on wooden vessels built with butted or clinker-built planks to fill the gaps between these planks while still allowing the wood to flex and move. This involved driving the irons, hammered in with the mallet, deep into the seams to open them up. After this, spun yarn, oakum (hemp) or cotton was driven deep into the gaps. The hemp or cotton was soaked in creosote or pine tar to make the joins watertight. Caulking also played a structural role in tightening up the hull or deck by reducing the longitudinal movement of the neighbouring planks. The subject item was made by Ward & Payne of the Limbrick Works at Hillsborough, Sheffield England manufacturers of hand-forged tools. Their trademark registered in 1850 was a Letter "W" & "P" stamped into the steel. The firm was established by David Ward (1767-1822) in 1803 the company became David Ward & Sons, in 1837 after Ward's son Edward joined the firm. In 1845 Henry Payne the founder's son-in-law became a partner but died in 1850 after which the company reverted to the Ward family. The business then concentrated on making carving tools, chisels and gouges. In 1882 David Ward's grandson David Ward Jr. (1835-1889) purchased land and built a factory at Sheffield North known as the "Limerick Wheel". For a time Wards operated from both 106-114 West Street Sheffield and at Limbrick Road, Hillsborough on the river Loxley. By 1911 they had expanded into making spades, forks, sheep shears and many other types of edged tools including drills and wood planes. In 1967 Wilkinson Sword purchased all the company's share capital and continued to sell Ward & Payne tools until 1970 when a fire burned the factory down and housing development was built on the site. The subject item is significant as it gives a snapshot of the technological development of sailing ships and their operation before steam-powered vessels took over around the world. Tools such as the subject item demonstrate the traditional craftsmanship and skill of the shipwright and the aesthetic quality of the timber ships designs of the time. Caulking tool with square end"WARD Sheffield"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, james s steele, caulking iron, caulking tool, shipwright tools, ward & payne sheffield, forged tools

Built by the Buffalo Forge Company in New York, USA. It is of a typical hand operated design used in workshops. This item was probably used in an engineering shop locally.A cast iron workshop drill. It has two spanner holes.On wheel at top - BUFFALO FORGE Co. and on frame BUFFALO N.Y.drill press workshop hand-operated

Initially collated by Harry Gilham as part of a file on Eltham Cemeteryeltham cemetery, george knapman, knapmans forge, mary jane knapman

Windlass, an ISO accredited sword maker and official supplier to MOD UK and the RN.good example of Navy cutlass swords2 x British Naval Cutlass 1804 - Chromed These highest quality blades are manufactured by Windlass, an ISO accredited sword maker and official supplier to MOD UK and the RN. Each blade is fold forged from a single billet of high-carbon steel, then hardened and tempered. Hand assembled and ground, each is then fully chrome plated for a mirror finish. 1. Blade near the hilt has on one side crossed sword and scabbard, obverse has a J. On the basket are N an arrow WD followed by an L. 2. Blade near the hilt has on one side crossed sword and scabbard, obverse has a inscribed 9 and stamped C6. On the basket are N an arrow WD followed by an L.navy, cutlass

Padre Oliver served aboard HMAS Australia 2 and visited several African ports including Aden and was a first hand witness to the battle of the Coral Sea in WW2. Given the tropical dress being worn by the seafarers this photograph may have been taken near one of these two theatres of conflict or on return to Sydney.Padre Oliver's service during both world wars and his experience as a newly ordained minister with the RAN made a significant impact on his life and forged close bonds with both the merchant and naval services.Large group of seafarers in tropical uniform aboard a battleship assembled beneath two large gun barrels with robed padre facing away from the photographer at what appears to be an improvised altar. padre oliver, frank leslie oliver, hmas australia ii, ww2, royal australian navy, chaplain, kate oliver

A hammer is a tool with a heavy head and a handle, often made of shock-absorbent wood or fiberglass that is used to strike an object. The most common uses for hammers are to drive nails, fit parts, forge metal, and break apart objects. Hammers vary in shape, size, and structure, depending on their uses. Hammers are basic tools in many trades. A hammer is composed of a head most often made of steel and a handle also called a helve or haft. Most hammers are hand tools. A traditional hand-held hammer consists of a separate head and a handle, fastened together by means of a special wedge made for the purpose, or by glue, or both. This two-piece design is often used, to combine a dense metallic striking head with a non-metallic mechanical-shock-absorbing handle -to reduce user fatigue from repeated strikes. If wood is used for the handle, it is often hickory or ash, which are tough and long-lasting materials that can dissipate shock waves from the hammer head. A well used hammer with wooden handle and steel headpioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, brighton, cheltenham, tools, craftsman, carpenters, blacksmiths, builders, woodwork,

Hand embroaded on silk memento by Bill Handcock to his mother from Pelestine 1940. Main feature is the Rising Sun Bagde.silk hand embroaded memento Mrs P G Handcock from Bill Palistine 1941 Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Rising Sun Badge in centre Crown is centered on top of Garlands with flowers embossed in corners Blue fringed on all edges"Palestine" Lower L/H Side, "1940" Lower R/H side, "Mrs P G Handcock /From Bill" centre bottom, "Australian Commonwealth /Military Forces, on Rising-Sun-Badge centre world war two, embroidery, memento, rising sun badge, palestine, 1940, handcock

This spanner, part of a raker/jointer/guage set which is a sharpening tool for cross cut logging saws. The logging saws used in the early 1900's for the clearing of forests required constant sharpening of their "cutting teeth". The logging of forested areas during these times was very much a "hands on" method of either one or two men by the use of saw or hand axe. Chain saws, chain and ball(clearing) and bulldozing methods came in the mid 1900's.This particular spanner was part of a crosscut saw sharpening tool and method was used by surveyors laying down boundaries for the S.E.C. Victoria Hydro Electricity Scheme (1920's). This item was given to a local Kiewa Valley lad who accompanied the initial surveyors. The lad was responsible for the tendering and feeding of the surveyors "pack horses". Surveys during this period and in the dense mountainous terrain of the Victorian Alps was both exhausting and hazardous. Overnight accommodation at various log cabins was not always possible and swag/tent alternative was the "fall back"This small spanner is part of the Raker/Jointer Gauge saw set and is made from forged steel. The nut grip is of the two tightening nuts on the main construction frame. See KVHS 0090 (A &B) for the other items making up the sharpening tools.hand tool, saw, sharpening method, tree felling.

In the Middle Ages double-acting bellows was introduced. It had 2 parts, one operated by hand or foot, the other took air from it and was weighted so it forced air out while the part was filling. Blacksmithing is the shaping of hot iron and steel, usually by hammering. Very hot fires were produced by 1.a hot air blast. 2. burning charcoal (not wood). Bellows were used to make tools, fix equipment including machinery, drays, carriages, harnesses etc. Farmers in the Kiewa Valley often had their blacksmith forge. They made their own tools, were able to mend equipment, drays etc., gates, and most items that were made of iron and steel.Large Double Acting bellow with wooden top and bottom, shaped like a 'water drop' - narrow at one end and broad at the other. The wood is held by strips of wood and leather bound and placed around the perimeter. The wood on the top side has inscriptions (illegible). The wood on the bottom side has a rectangular hole. The narrow end feeds into a pipe to enable the fire to receive a hot blast of air. When the bellow is squeezed it allows both pieces of wood to be pushed together.Illegibleblackmiths, bellows, double acting bellow

A hand-made long narrow pick head without handle.Sewell (?) Forgepick-head blaksmithing trade

These nails were made for Walter John Mundy (1868-1944). Often imported nails made for the softer English and North American timbers bent when hammered against the harder colonial woods and so The Mundy family were farmers / settlers in the Snowy River area since c. 1880s. The original Mundy family moved to a land "selection" at Betebolong in the early 1880's from Buchan. It's only over the past century or so that the mass-produced nail has become an inexpensive and common way to join materials. These three iron nails were hand made by an early Orbost settler or blacksmith in the 1880's, using iron, forge and anvil. They are examples of the types of nails used in the 19th century. A rectangular, wooden(athel pine?) board with three hand-made nails glued in fan design to top left corner of section of floorboard. There is a short length of yellow cord attached for hanging. To the right of the nails is hand-written text in black. the nails have irregular shanks and hammer marks on both shanks and heads.right of nails - " Flooring & nails from Walter Mundy's house at Jarrahmond built C.1885. Still in use to this day."mundy-walter hand-made-nails

This cake stand was hand turned from osage orange wood. The wood was sourced from a grove of osage orange trees in the Fisken/Taverner Street area. This grove was planted by Mr A C Simon, an orchardist, who brought the seeds from North America in the 1860's to create a protective hedge for his plants The wood from these plants produces a beautiful toned affect of dark brown and yellow/orange when turned and polished. The significance of this cake stand is that it has been carved from the osage orange which grows well in Bacchus Marsh although originated in America. Mr Simon made many items from this wood. This gives it local significance.This polished wooden stand would have been used for cake to be displayed It consists of a round 'plate' of wood as the top, with a fine narrow turned wood pedestal and a round base. The stand is made of osage orange giving it the unique tones of dark brown and orange wood.turned wood, osage orange, food stand, food display, brown orange wood, wooden, cake stand, parlour item, table centre piece, polished wood, ornamental stand

An item of Local significance for women in use of decorating their Domestic life in the mid 1920's. Usually these items were constructed with the use of their own handicrafts. The 'Sunday Best' status helped to present a civilised look to the one day of No work and Church in a family's weekly life.A lady's linen, hand embroidered full apron. Orange Flowers(Button hole stitch), green leaves (satin stitch) Featherstitch on pockets and edges of the garment.1 Tie is missing meaning that the apron cannot be worn.embroidery, hand, domestic, linen, silk, crafted, apron, sunday best, stranded, ties

Domestic item that has been hand made for a specific purpose for toasting food over coals or an open flame. Adjustable two tines/prongs toasting fork with side holding flangesdomestic, kitchen, item, food, toast, wire, cutlery, fork, homemade

These bobbins were given to donor by her aunt and were part of the set on which the donor learned to make Nine Pin edging when she was 8 years old. (approx 1911) 2 wooden lacemaker bobbins, decorated on ends with coloured glass beads attached with wire. Bobbin one has 4 red beads, 4 clear beads, 2 black beads and 1 white bead with green and red colour band. Bobbin two has 2 brown beads, 2 blue beads, 1 black bead and 1 clear bead. Bobbins have shaped and turned shafts. bobbins lace, wood turning, hand craft

This ink-well was used in the Bacchus Marsh Court House, possibly for book-keeping and/or for court records. This type of ink-well and pen were in use everywhere in schools, businesses, courts, etc before the invention of the type-writer and the ball-point pen. Clerks were usually male and a good copperplate hand-writing was admired. Ink was often mixed by hand used a powdered ink mixed with water.Of local significance in the history of the town of Bacchus Marsh.Round pewter ink-well, with hinged lid and ceramic insert. Five round holes pierced in inner rim of metal to hold pens. Two ribbed bands around exterior of pot. Two bands indented around top of lid. Insert designed to hold ink. Pen with marbled blue handle, metal nib holder and metal nib.Indecipherable imprint on bottom of pot, possibly machine markings. Illegible written marks on side of pewter pot. Ceramic insert marked on side and bottom by red and black ink.ink, ink well, hand writing, record keeping, pens, nibs, clerical work, court records

Aunt Fanny gave 6 yds of her "Bucks pattern" lace to Gillian Davis for her 21st birthday. This lace is very difficult to make, as there is a thick thread to keep exactly the same tautness as the fine thread. Aunt Fanny was about 77 when she made this.A fine example of womens hand craft from the late 19th and early 20th Century1 bundle of cream bobbin "Bucks pattern" lace which has a thick thread through it at exactly the same tautness as the fine thread. 2nd bundle of cream lace made by another method, possibly crochet.hand craft, lace bobbin