Seed broadcaster were used to distribute seed across a small area or to fill in patches where seeding has been missed. This method does not ensure a uniform distribution of seeds unless the person using the machine walks at a very measured pace. It also requires a lot of time and manual labour if used in larger areas. It was most used for planting cover crops, grains, grasses and similar plants that do not need to be in neat rows. The hand-crank broadcast seed spreader was invented in 1868 by Samuel S. Speicher (aka. Spyker) in Indiana, USA. By 1955 new developments included the invention of a seed broadcaster on wheels and these smaller spreaders started to disappear.This item is representative of agricultural machinery used on a local, national and international level in the late 19th and early 20th century.A metal hand seed broadcaster. A hopper at the top was the receptacle for seed. The wheel with a handle on the side when turned drives the cogs attached to an axle. This action rotates the attached spindle with blades to propel seed out the front of the broadcaster. The broadcaster would have had a shoulder strap and a bag of seed would have been added to the hopper and secured with twine through the holes around the top.agricultural tools, farm machinery

Bushfire perimeter rather than bushfire area is the main control problem for firefighters on the ground. A conundrum rapidly compounded by spot fires. A small 5 ha fire can be nearly 1 km around the perimeter. That's a long way to build a control line by hand in rough bush. Dry firefighting techniques by hand were mostly confined to “knocking down” or “beating out” the flames, as well as "digging out". Digging or raking a “mineral earth” trail down to bare dirt proved most effective in forest fuels which, unlike grass, tend to retain heat and smoulder. Early tools were whatever happened to be close at hand. They were simple and primitive and included shovels, slashers, axes, hoes, beaters and rakes. A cut branch to beat the flames was often the only thing available. Farming and logging tools, developed over centuries of manual labour, and readily available at local hardware stores came into use, but little thought was given to size, weight, and balance. This canvas hose beater was based on a century-old design which used lengths of canvas fire hose rivetted together and lashed with wire to a broom handle. The hose was be soaked in water to improve its effectiveness. If the flames were more than a metre or so the user was generally not able to get close enough to extinguish the fire It's recommend that users lift no more than above knee height to conserve energy and let the beater to the work. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts and later RakehoesEarly firefighting toolBushfire beater - Canvas with wooden handleR P PWD (Public Works Department) The handle has painted markings which indicate which FCV District it belonged to.bushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

Bushfire perimeter rather than bushfire area is the main control problem for firefighters on the ground. A conundrum rapidly compounded by spot fires. A small 5 ha fire can be nearly 1 km around the perimeter. That's a long way to build a control line by hand in rough bush. Dry firefighting techniques by hand were mostly confined to “knocking down” or “beating out” the flames, as well as "digging out". Digging or raking a “mineral earth” trail down to bare dirt proved most effective in forest fuels which, unlike grass, tend to retain heat and smoulder. Early tools were whatever happened to be close at hand. They were simple and primitive and included shovels, slashers, axes, hoes, beaters and rakes. A cut branch to beat the flames was often the only thing available. Farming and logging tools, developed over centuries of manual labour, and readily available at local hardware stores came into use, but little thought was given to size, weight, and balance. This leather beater was based on a century-old stockman's design which used green cow hide leather lashed to a broom handle. It's recommend that users lift no more than above knee height to conserve energy and let the beater to the work. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts and later RakehoesEarly firefighting toolBushfire beater - Leather with wooden handlebushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

A cream coloured cardboard cover with black details on the front.At the top of the manual reads TM 9-1005-300-34 Department of the Army Technical Manual. There are three punch holes and two metal staples down the left hand side. the manual is kept in a plastic cover for protectionunited states - armed forces - service manuals, machine gun mount m66, installation kit

This bellows was used at the Warrnambool Racecourse by Master Farrier, Brian Chapman (1931-2017), during the 1970s but its history before then is still being investigated. The bellows have continued to be used from 1978 at Flagstaff Hill's blacksmith's workshop. Even today, in 2021, this same bellows are used by a volunteer blacksmith as he demonstrate the skills and tells of the importance of the blacksmith trade to colonial Australia. This 1860s double-action bellows is a typical form of blacksmith's or shipsmith's bellows. The end is forge-fitted with an iron nozzle or tube, called a tuyere or Tue iron, which concentrates the air to fan the fire or furnace. Tuyeres were traditionally made of cow horn. The double-action design of this bellows efficiently moves air both in and out of the chambers in the one movement of the long handle. The bellows was manufactured by John C. Onions of Birmingham, England, between 1862 and 1875. The stamp with the text, Gold Medal 1862, was also used on the business’ advertising. In 1875 the company was registered and began using the name John C. Onions Limited. JOHN C. ONIONS - John C. (Collingwood) Onions (1841-1904) was the son of a bellows maker of the same name. Onions (born 1841) and his wife Helen married in 1867 and they named one of their children John Collingwood Onions (1868-1913), as was the family tradition. He was well known as a Birmingham manufacturer of patented bellows and other forge-related equipment. He sold to the wholesale and retail markets for both local and overseas customers, including the British colonies. An 1862 advertisement points out that John C. Onions was a “Bellows manufacturer and contractor to Her Majesty’s Honourable Board of Ordinance” and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French [Napoleon Bonaparte]”. The advertisement includes a sketched portrait of the Emperor Napoleon III, and an Imperial Autograph Letter dated May 23, 1854, from Napoleon, Palace of the Tulleries to Mr J C Onions of Bradford Street, Birmingham. In 1863 the company registered a patent on portable forges. In 1871 there were eight employees. John C. Onions Limited became a registered company in 1875. In 1876 an advertisements included that the company were smiths for hearths and tools in general and showed a row of six medallions including one with “Napoleon III, Emperor” and his portrait, and another “ _ _ _ 1862 MEDAL”. Their advertising motto was “For Excellence of Quality”. In 1885 the company merged with William Allday and Sons to become Allday and Onions. This mid-19th century bellows has local historical significance as it were once used by blacksmiths at the Warrnambool Racecourse in the annual racing event that continues today. This bellows is significant as a working example of equipment used in the 1800 and 1900s in the trace of blacksmiths and other metal working smiths. The bellows is technologically significant as it shows the progress from simple bellows to the double-action bellows, a time saving and efficient improvement. The manufacturer John C. Onions is historically significant as a family business that began in the 1600s and continued up until the 1980s.Bellows; large, oval, mechanical double-action smith’s bellows, manually operated, in working condition. The paddles of wood that form the top, middle sections and base of the bellows have flexible leather pieces attached firmly between them, forming airtight double lungs. Cut-outs in the panels allow the bellows to fill with air then force it out. A long handle is connected to pump the bellows and control the quantity and force of the air. The blasts of air are forced through the metal nozzle or tuyere at the end of the bellows and into the forge’s fire. Inscriptions are impressed into the wood on the upper paddle or board of the bellows. There are three circular stamps containing text. Text impressed in the wooden upper paddle of the bellows has been assumed to read “JOHN C. ONIONS, PATENTEES & MANUFACTURERS, BIRMINGHAM””?” “EXTRA” “AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE OF QUALITY”, made from the following readable text :- “JOHN C ONIONS“ “PATENT - - - & MAN - - - - - - - - -“, “BIR - - - - HAM“, “ _ ERA - - - - “- XTRA-“, “- - - - - - - FOR EXCELL-“ “OF - - - - ITY” Text in the stamp “ - - ECE - - “, “ - - - - - / 1862 / MEDAL”, “- ITY” flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, john collingwood onions, john c onions, allday and onions, bellows, smith’s bellows, 19th century bellows, double-action bellows, double-acting bellows, double lung bellows, double chamber bellows, blacksmith tools, blacksmith trade, blacksmith craft, blacksmith equipment, forging equipment, john c onions patented double-action bellows, brian chapman, warrnambool racecourse, blacksmith, shipsmith, iron smith, mechanical bellows

Ten page plus cover sheet document titled "Scrubber No. 8 Training Manual", detailing Controls, Auxiliary equipment of ex MMTB Scrubber No. 8 ( 8W), with photographs of the controls, scrubbing blocks, pipework, preparation, operation, stabling, appendix showing cut out switches and tool box and Scrubber car operator competency sheet. Version 1, dated 8/6/1001. (has been replaced since). Prepared by Warren Doubleday 6/2001.trams, tramways, scrubber tram, btm, manual, instructions

Bushfire perimeter rather than bushfire area is the main control problem for firefighters on the ground. A conundrum rapidly compounded by spot fires. A small 5 ha fire can be nearly 1 km around the perimeter. That's a long way to build a control line by hand in rough bush. Dry firefighting techniques by hand were mostly confined to “knocking down” or “beating out” the flames, as well as "digging out". Digging or raking a “mineral earth” trail down to bare dirt proved most effective in forest fuels which, unlike grass, tend to retain heat and smoulder. Early tools were whatever happened to be close at hand. They were simple and primitive and included shovels, slashers, axes, hoes, beaters and rakes. A cut branch to beat the flames was often the only thing available. Farming and logging tools, developed over centuries of manual labour, and readily available at local hardware stores came into use, but little thought was given to size, weight, and balance. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts. However, its believed the now common Rakehoe is an Australian variation of the American McLeod Tool which was developed in 1905 by forest ranger Malcolm McLeod of the Sierra National Forest. The late Athol Hodgson advised that predecessors, Reg Torbet who had been the Chief Fire Officer for the Forests Commission from 1948-1956, along with his QLD counterpart Clive Price, went in late 1951 as Australian delegates on a 10 week fire study tour of Nth America organised by the United Nations. They came back with a couple of McLeod tools from Canada. Cam MacLeod (different spelling) had been the Head of Fire Research for the Canadian Forest Service at the time and had supplied them. The tools were ideal for deciduous forests in the eastern provinces and Clive arranged to have them manufactured in QLD. The Rakho, as it was then spelled, was first issued to FCV crews 65 years ago in 1955-56. The American Pulaski had been trialled, but never found favour with Australian firefighters.Rakhoeforests commission victoria (fcv), hand tools, forest harvesting, bushfire

Bushfire perimeter rather than bushfire area is the main control problem for firefighters on the ground. A conundrum rapidly compounded by spot fires. A small 5 ha fire can be nearly 1 km around the perimeter. That's a long way to build a control line by hand in rough bush. Dry firefighting techniques by hand were mostly confined to “knocking down” or “beating out” the flames, as well as "digging out". Digging or raking a “mineral earth” trail down to bare dirt proved most effective in forest fuels which, unlike grass, tend to retain heat and smoulder. Early tools were whatever happened to be close at hand. They were simple and primitive and included shovels, slashers, axes, hoes, beaters and rakes. A cut branch to beat the flames was often the only thing available. Farming and logging tools, developed over centuries of manual labour, and readily available at local hardware stores came into use, but little thought was given to size, weight, and balance. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts. However, its believed the now common Rakehoe is an Australian variation of the American McLeod Tool which was developed in 1905 by forest ranger Malcolm McLeod of the Sierra National Forest. The late Athol Hodgson advised that predecessors, Reg Torbet who had been the Chief Fire Officer for the Forests Commission from 1948-1956, along with his QLD counterpart Clive Price, went in late 1951 as Australian delegates on a 10 week fire study tour of Nth America organised by the United Nations. They came back with a couple of McLeod tools from Canada. Cam MacLeod (different spelling) had been the Head of Fire Research for the Canadian Forest Service at the time and had supplied them. The tools were ideal for deciduous forests in the eastern provinces and Clive arranged to have them manufactured in QLD. The Rakho, as it was then spelled, was first issued to FCV crews 65 years ago in 1955-56. The American Pulaski had been trialled, but never found favour with Australian firefighters.Fire Beater (canvas) 1930s designforests commission victoria (fcv), hand tools, forest harvesting, bushfire

Dark navy bound book with silver embossed writing. 267 pages. non-fictionA manual of practical office short cuts to improve office functions.town of portland, office, instructional manual

Leather thicknessers like this were commonly used in leatherworking and saddlery to ensure uniform thickness in leather pieces before making belts, harnesses, saddles, or other leather goods. This design suggests it was hand-operated, requiring the user to feed leather through the adjustable gap while controlling the pressure with the lever. These tools were essential in workshops and tanneries, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries, before the advent of more mechanized skiving machines. From HODGES Saddlery, Natimuk.This is a vintage manually-operated leather thicknesser, used for skiving or adjusting the thickness of leather pieces. The tool consists of a wooden base with four mounting holes, likely for securing it to a workbench. A horizontal metal bar runs across the top, supported by two vertical posts, and is adjustable via two round-headed screws. The tool also features a curved lever handle on one side, which is used to adjust or apply pressure to the leather being processed. The metal components show signs of oxidation and rust, while the wooden base has a well-worn appearance, suggesting extensive use.leather thicknesser, functional item, tool, farm equipment, harness, horse equipment, saddlery, leather, commercial equipment

These manual horsehair clippers were widely used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries before the introduction of electric clippers. They were an essential tool for grooming horses, especially for trimming manes, tails, and coats to maintain cleanliness and health. The A. Martin Manufacturers brand was known for producing high-quality grooming and agricultural tools, making this clipper a valuable piece of equestrian history.This is a pair of vintage manual horsehair clippers made by A. Martin Manufacturers, a well-known producer of hand-operated grooming tools. The clippers consist of two curved metal arms with a scissor-like mechanism and wooden handles. The cutting head features two finely serrated blades, designed to trim horsehair efficiently. The wooden handles show signs of wear, with a weathered and aged appearance. The metal frame and blades exhibit patina and some rust, indicating extensive past use.The metal arms are stamped with "A. MARTIN MANUFACTURERS", indicating the maker.groom, hair, horse, clippers, horse equipment, farm equipment

Hoof rasps are essential tools used by farriers (specialists in equine hoof care) for trimming, shaping, and maintaining horse hooves. They help in smoothing rough edges and correcting hoof growth after trimming. Traditional rasps like this were manually operated before modern electric hoof grinders became available. The small size of this rasp suggests it may have been a section cut from a larger rasp, repurposed for finer adjustments or as a portable tool.The item is a hoof rasp, a small, rectangular metal tool with a rough, raised, and textured surface designed for filing and smoothing horse hooves. The rasp is compact and appears well-worn, showing signs of use and rusting. The rasping surface consists of small, sharp teeth that efficiently remove layers of hoof material when rubbed against the surface.rasp, file, horse, teeth, farm equipment, tool, horse equipment

Era: This type of hand-cranked food mincer was popular in late 19th to mid-20th century kitchens, before the rise of electric meat grinders. Use: Typically used for grinding meats, making sausages, or mincing vegetables, often as part of home food preservation. Manual operation: The auger forces food through the grinding plate, allowing the user to control the consistency of the minced product.This is a vintage cast iron hand-cranked food mincer, consisting of several detachable parts. It is designed to grind meat, vegetables, or other food items by manually rotating the handle, which turns the auger inside the main body. The components include: Main body (casing): A heavy cast-iron structure with an open funnel at the top for inserting food. The body features a clamp or screw holes for securing it to a workbench or table. Handle with wooden grip: A long metal arm with a rounded wooden handle, used for manually turning the auger. Auger (screw-like piece): A large metal spiral component that pushes the food through the mincing plate when the handle is rotated. Mincing plate (grinder disc): A perforated metal plate that determines the texture of the ground food. Additional attachments: Includes a funnel-shaped attachment and small metal parts stored in a plastic bag, likely used for securing or adjusting the mincer. The mincer shows signs of wear and oxidation, indicating age and prior use. The wooden handle appears intact, but the metal components show some surface rust, which is typical for vintage kitchen tools.food, mincer, kitchen, household item

This is an early manual can opener, designed for cutting open tin cans before the invention of the rotating wheel-style openers. These types of openers were widely used in the late 19th to early 20th century, when canned food became popular. The hooked end was used to puncture the can lid, and the curved blade would be maneuvered around the edge to slice through the metal.This is a vintage cast-iron can opener with a simple yet sturdy design. It features a solid handle with embossed lettering, which reads "GUARD". At the opposite end, there is a curved cutting blade and a hooked section for puncturing and guiding along the lid of a can. The surface of the opener has a dark patina, with signs of rust and wear, indicating significant age and use. Used by railway gangers when camping out.The word “GUARD” is embossed on the handle, possibly indicating the brand or manufacturer.cutting tool, tin opener, can opener, kitchen, utensil, railway ganger, camping, stockman, household item

This is a manual sifter, commonly used in kitchens during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The canister was filled with flour, powdered sugar, or cocoa, and the user would shake or sift the ingredients using the handle. The perforated dome evenly distributed the ingredient, preventing clumps and ensuring a fine texture for baking or cooking. It was an essential tool before the advent of modern mechanical sifters and pre-sifted flour products.Antique Flour or Sugar Sifter Physical Description: A cylindrical metal container that serves as a reservoir for flour, sugar, or similar fine ingredients. A long, thin metal rod extends from the canister, attached to a small, perforated metal dome at the opposite end. A looped handle is attached to the rod, allowing for manual operation. The metal surface shows signs of aging and rust, indicative of extended use.cooking, baking, kitchen, utensil, household item, sifter, flour, sugar, cocoa

Branding irons were essential tools in livestock management, particularly in cattle and sheep farming, to identify ownership and prevent theft. This manual iron would have been heated in an open flame and then applied to the animal’s hide, leaving a permanent mark. The presence of rust and wear suggests this branding iron was used extensively on a working farm. These tools have been used for centuries, especially in Australia, the United States, and Europe, where cattle ranching played a major role in agricultural economies.This is a long-handled metal branding iron, traditionally used for marking livestock with a permanent identification symbol. The iron consists of a straight, sturdy metal shaft with a looped handle at one end, designed for gripping or hanging. The opposite end features a flat, engraved or raised branding head with a distinct shape or pattern, which would have been heated and pressed against the animal's hide to leave a lasting impression. The entire tool shows signs of age, rust, and wear, indicating extensive past use.Mc & Cobranding iron, farm equipment, sheep, cattle, livestock

Bushfire perimeter rather than bushfire area is the main control problem for firefighters on the ground. A conundrum rapidly compounded by spot fires. A small 5 ha fire can be nearly 1 km around the perimeter. That's a long way to build a control line by hand in rough bush. Dry firefighting techniques by hand were mostly confined to “knocking down” or “beating out” the flames, as well as "digging out". Digging or raking a “mineral earth” trail down to bare dirt proved most effective in forest fuels which, unlike grass, tend to retain heat and smoulder. Early tools were whatever happened to be close at hand. They were simple and primitive and included shovels, slashers, axes, hoes, beaters and rakes. A cut branch to beat the flames was often the only thing available. Farming and logging tools, developed over centuries of manual labour, and readily available at local hardware stores came into use, but little thought was given to size, weight, and balance. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts. However, its believed the now common Rakehoe is an Australian variation of the American McLeod Tool which was developed in 1905 by forest ranger Malcolm McLeod of the Sierra National Forest. The late Athol Hodgson advised that predecessors, Reg Torbet who had been the Chief Fire Officer for the Forests Commission from 1948-1956, along with his QLD counterpart Clive Price, went in late 1951 as Australian delegates on a 10 week fire study tour of Nth America organised by the United Nations. They came back with a couple of McLeod tools from Canada. Cam MacLeod (different spelling) had been the Head of Fire Research for the Canadian Forest Service at the time and had supplied them. The tools were ideal for deciduous forests in the eastern provinces and Clive arranged to have them manufactured in QLD. The Rakho, as it was then spelled, was first issued to FCV crews 65 years ago in 1955-56. The American Pulaski had been trialled, but never found favour with Australian firefighters.Pulaski Fire Tool Combines an axe and a grubbing hoe. Digging end and cutting end with short wooden handleforests commission victoria (fcv), hand tools, forest harvesting, bushfire

Bushfire perimeter rather than bushfire area is the main control problem for firefighters on the ground. A conundrum rapidly compounded by spot fires. A small 5 ha fire can be nearly 1 km around the perimeter. That's a long way to build a control line by hand in rough bush. Dry firefighting techniques by hand were mostly confined to “knocking down” or “beating out” the flames, as well as "digging out". Digging or raking a “mineral earth” trail down to bare dirt proved most effective in forest fuels which, unlike grass, tend to retain heat and smoulder. Early tools were whatever happened to be close at hand. They were simple and primitive and included shovels, slashers, axes, hoes, beaters and rakes. A cut branch to beat the flames was often the only thing available. Farming and logging tools, developed over centuries of manual labour, and readily available at local hardware stores came into use, but little thought was given to size, weight, and balance. For years foresters experimented with combination tools. In about 1952 fire beaters and other implements were being replaced with Rakuts. However, its believed the now common Rakehoe is an Australian variation of the American McLeod Tool which was developed in 1905 by forest ranger Malcolm McLeod of the Sierra National Forest. The late Athol Hodgson advised that predecessors, Reg Torbet who had been the Chief Fire Officer for the Forests Commission from 1948-1956, along with his QLD counterpart Clive Price, went in late 1951 as Australian delegates on a 10 week fire study tour of Nth America organised by the United Nations. They came back with a couple of McLeod tools from Canada. Cam MacLeod (different spelling) had been the Head of Fire Research for the Canadian Forest Service at the time and had supplied them. The tools were ideal for deciduous forests in the eastern provinces and Clive arranged to have them manufactured in QLD. The Rakho, as it was then spelled, was first issued to FCV crews 65 years ago in 1955-56. The American Pulaski had been trialled, but never found favour with Australian firefighters.First used in 1955Rakehoe Combination of a heavy-duty six-toothed (each 9cm long) rake with a large, sturdy (25cm) hoe.bushfire, forests commission victoria (fcv)

A hook as a hand tool is used for securing and moving loads. It consists of a round wooden handle with a strong metal hook projecting at a right angle from the centre of the handle. The appliance is held in a closed fist with the hook projecting between two fingers. This type of hook is used in many different industries, and has many different names. It may be called a box hook, cargo hook, loading hook, or a docker's hook, and a baling hook, bale hook, or hay hook in the agricultural industry. Other variants exist, such as in forestry, for moving logs, and a type with a long shaft, used by city workers to remove manhole covers. A hay hook is slightly different in design in that the shaft is typically longer. It is used on farms to secure and move bales of hay, which are otherwise awkward to pick up manually. A small bale hook with a wooden handle and 2 curved steel hooks pioneers, early settlers, market gardeners, moorabbin, bentleigh, cheltenham, brighton, tools, craftsman, carpenters, , blacksmiths, builders, farmers, graziers, wool bales, hay bales,

Long handle scythe used by the college to maintain gardensManual scythe blade with long wooden handle painted orange. Used by Burnley Students for garden maintenance,Metal stamped 1285garden maintenance, burnley, grass control, weed control, students

The VONO Knife Cleaner was commonly used in households and professional kitchens during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was designed to quickly clean and polish knife blades without excessive manual effort, making it an essential tool before the widespread use of stainless steel cutlery. VONO was a British company known for manufacturing kitchen and household mechanical appliances, including knife cleaners and polishers. Today, antique knife cleaners like this are rare and highly collectible, often displayed in museums or vintage kitchen collections.This is a VONO No. 2 Knife Cleaner, a mechanical hand-operated device used for cleaning and polishing knives. The device has a circular cast-iron body with a rotating internal mechanism, activated by a metal crank handle with a wooden grip. The surface is painted green, though signs of wear and aging are visible. The top plate is embossed with instructions and branding.The top plate is embossed with the following text: "TRIUMPH VONO No. 2 KNIFE CLEANER" "PATENT RED No. 3256" "BRITISH MADE" "PUT KNIFE UNDER ABRASIVE WITH BACK TO SPINDLE"household item, vono, knife cleaner, knife, utensil, kitchen

Manual washing dollies like this were widely used from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, before the introduction of mechanized washing machines. This device was placed inside a large wooden, tin, or enamel washing tub, where it was moved up and down or twisted side to side to agitate the clothes and water. This method helped remove dirt and stains more effectively than simple hand-scrubbing. Common in households, laundries, and rural communities, these tools were an essential part of early laundry practices before electricity became widespread. Some versions of this device were also called "poshers," "plungers," or "washing dollies", depending on regional terminology.This is a manual washing dolly or agitator, a tool used in early washing methods to manually stir and agitate laundry in a tub of soapy water. It consists of a metal handle attached to multiple perforated or rounded metal discs, designed to push and circulate water through clothes to help loosen dirt. The main body consists of four metal discs, arranged in a clustered formation, allowing for efficient agitation of clothes. The handle is a long, horizontal metal bar, providing a firm grip for manual operation. A central metal pipe extends from the top, possibly indicating an attachment for additional components or reinforcement. The metal surface appears to be galvanized or tinned, preventing corrosion from prolonged water exposure. The entire structure is sturdy and well-worn, showing signs of age and extensive use.OSMONDS Little Marvel No 2988, Patentwashing machine, household item

Brace drills were widely used in woodworking, carpentry, and early construction before the advent of electric power tools. They allowed for precise drilling of holes in wood and other materials. The larger brace would have been used for heavier-duty work, while the smaller one might have been used for finer, more controlled drilling. These tools were common in workshops and homes throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.The image shows two antique hand tools, both of which are brace drills (also known as bit braces or hand braces). These were used for manual drilling before the widespread use of electric drills. The tool labeled "115.1" (bottom of the image) is a larger, more robust brace drill with a curved, cast metal body and a wooden grip at the top. It has a chuck at the front for holding drill bits. The tool labeled "115.2" (top of the image) is a smaller, more delicate brace drill, also with a curved metal body, but it appears more simplistic in design, with a squared chuck end.bit brace, tool, farm equipment, commercial equipment, drill

Such tools were essential in early 20th-century agriculture and trade, when grain quality was determined manually before modern testing equipment. Likely used in rural farming communities and grain storage warehouses. Similar tools have been in use since the 19th century, making them key artifacts in agricultural history.A long, tapered metal tool with a sharp, pointed end designed for piercing through grain bags. The handle is thicker with a flat or rounded top, allowing for easy gripping. The shaft shows signs of rust and wear, indicating age and extensive use.wheat, grain, measuring, hessian bag, hessian sack, farm equipment, commercial equipment

Manually operated sprayers like this were essential tools before modern electric or battery-powered sprayers became widespread. They provided an affordable and effective method for small-scale farming and domestic gardening. The durability of brass and copper components made these sprayers long-lasting and repairable, contrasting with modern plastic alternatives. Used primarily as a garden or agricultural sprayer, often for applying: Pesticides Fungicides Liquid fertilizers Cleaning agents The user pumps the handle to pressurize the liquid in the reservoir, then releases it through the nozzle as a fine mist or jet spray. Such sprayers were commonly used in gardens, orchards, and farms during the early to mid-20th century.A hand-operated spray pump with a copper or brass reservoir and a long cylindrical brass pump handle. The handle is fitted with a rounded green grip, likely made of wood or Bakelite, designed for comfortable manual operation. The reservoir (tank) is rounded and made of metal, showing signs of oxidation and wear, indicative of age and past use. A small nozzle at the top allows for the release of liquid, possibly fitted with an adjustable spray tip.insect, pest, spray, pump, household item, farm equipment