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

Used in the 19th century.A forged steel hatchet No 4 with a handmade short wooden handle used as a trimming hatchet or axe. It is branded: 'Golden Berg' curved around a swan in a circle. It was used in the 19th century.No 4. It is branded: 'Golden Berg' curved around a swan in a circle.woodworking tools, steel, froes, cleaving axes, axes, cutting tools, hand axes, hatchets, cleavers, tomahawks, wood

Used in the 19th century.A wide bladed forged steel adze with a smooth curved wooden handle. It was used by woodworkers for cutting and trimming rough wooden planks and shaping and smoothing wooden surfaces in the 19th century.woodworking tools, steel, froes, cleaving axes, axes, cutting tools, hand axes, adzes, wood

Don Walker was club professional at Heidelberg Golf Club 1936-1941. He died on active service in World War 2. The Don Walker Memorial Trophy is named in his honour.One of a full set of Don Walker golf clubs held at HGC.Metal shaft and head, leather grip.Inscription on head: "Don Walker. Rustless. Hand forged in Scotland. 3 iron" The 'hand' symbol is that of the George Nicoll Company.heidelberg golf club, golf clubs, golf professionals, don walker, irons (golf)

This building was part of a range of shops known as Victoria House, built by Vere Quaile, blacksmith, in 1857. It consisted of a shop, a blacksmith's forge and wheelwright, and was located to the east of the blacksmith's forge in Main Street. Between 1874 and 1892 Francis Timmons operated a clothier and drapers business in this building.Small sepia unframed photograph on card with gold border framing photograph. The name of the business can be clearly seen above the awning. Less clear is the name "Victoria House', also above the awning. Housed in the album, 'Photographs of Bacchus Marsh and District in 1883 by Stevenson and McNicoll'.On the front: Stevenson & McNicoll. Photo. 108 Elizabeth St. Melbourne. COPIES CAN BE OBTAINED AT ANY TIME. On the back: LIGHT & TRUTH inscribed on a banner surmounted by a representation of the rising sun. Copies of this Portrait can be had at any time by sending the Name and Post Office Money Order or Stamps for the amount of order to STEVENSON & McNICOLL LATE BENSON & STEVENSON, Photographers. 108 Elizabeth Street, MELBOURNE. In handwriting: 'Victoria House'. Clothier + Draper. Main St. c.1857. Next to Blacksmith Cottage. Courtesy Mrs. Jeremeas. Photo 1883.stevenson and mcnicoll 1883 photographs of bacchus marsh and district, shops bacchus marsh vic., clothing shops, drapers bacchus marsh vic

A harpoon is a long spear-like instrument used in fishing, whaling, sealing and other marine hunting to catch large fish or marine mammals such as whales. It accomplishes this task by impaling the target animal and securing it with barb or toggling claws, allowing the fishermen to use a rope or chain attached to the projectile to catch the animal. The earliest known harpoons, have been recorded as having been made and used 90,000 years ago. In the early whaling industry the two flue harpoon was the primary weapon used around the world. This two fluke harpoon tended to penetrate no deeper than the soft outer layer of a whales blubber. Thus it was often possible for the whale to escape by struggling or swimming away forcefully enough to pull the shallowly embedded barbs out backwards. This flaw was corrected in the early nineteenth century with the creation of the one fluke harpoon. By removing one of the flukes, the head of the harpoon was narrowed, making it easier for it to penetrate deep enough to hold fast. In the Arctic, the indigenous people used the more advanced toggling harpoon design and by the mid-19th century, the toggling harpoon was adapted by Lewis Temple, using iron. The Temple toggle was widely used, and quickly came to dominate the whaling industry around the world.A hand forged harpoon demonstrating the blacksmiths art for fashioning an item used during the early 19th century in the significant industry of whaling. Used during a time when the world depended on the natural resources derived from whales, oil for lighting, lubrication, margarine, candles, soaps and cosmetics as well as the use of the whales bones for various other items such as corsets, umbrellas,fertiliser and animal feed. The item is significant as it was probably made between 1820-1850 after which a single fluke and toggle harpoon began to be use extensively in the whaling industry. Also coming in to general use was a black powder gun to fire the harpoon rather than the early type that had to be manually thrown by a mariner from a row boat of which the subject item is an example.Hand forged double fluke steel whaling harpoon with an arrowhead tip atop a square shank that tapers to a narrow round shaft with a split metal cone to accommodate a wooden harpoon pole.Noneharpoon, whaling, whaling harpoon, fishing industry, whales, flukes, lewis temple, marine technology, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road

Drill press metal wall mounted self feeding belt driven. Embossed Buffalo Forge Co Buffalo N Y. Plate on front embossed 418. Black paint evidentflagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village

A Peg tooth forged steel crosscut saw with two wooden handles bolted on. It was used to saw rough wood or cross cut wood against the grain. It was used in the late 19th Century.hand tools, woodworking tools, carpentry tools, wood, steel, hand saws, saws, cutting tools, crosscut saws

Used in the 19th century.A forged steel narrow bladed double Peg and Rake toothed crosscut saw with no handles. It was used to saw rough wood or cross cut wood against the grain in the late 19th Century.Stamped on the saw: made of Simond Steel, Trade mark Reg. Warranted The Simond Saw Est 1832, Simond Steel & Saw co USA. Crescent Ground Steel Mill, Lockport New York. Factories Fitchburg Mass, Montreal Quebec No 325hand tools, woodworking tools, carpentry tools, steel, hand saws, saws, cutting tools, crosscut saws

Used in the 19th century by Bill Homefield.A forged steel headed broad axe with a handmade turned wooden handle for a left handed person's use. It was used to trim or square up posts or logs and shape timber in the 19th century.PLUMB USA is stamped on the head.axes, cutting tools, hand axes, froes, woodworking tools, cleaving tools

While a later inscription suggests that the photo dates from 1908, by that stage, according to the Sands & McDougall Directories, the forge on the corner of Cotham and Mont Victor Roads had been taken over by H. Wright. F.G.A. Barnard in his Jubilee History of Kew (1910) records that the well known Sandhill Nursery, had been established by William Holt early in the 1850s. Presumably this was an earlier business as by 1888 it is recorded that the business had become a forge. The forge stood on what is now part of the grounds of Genazzano Convent. A rare photograph of a pioneering industrial business in Kew on the site now occupied by Genazzano Convent.The photo shows W. Holt, Wheelwright, Veterinary and General - Blacksmith, Cotham Road, Kew. Inscription front: "Uncle Will Holt, Cotham Road, Kew, opp Normanby Av [sic] 1908 [sic]"; Reverse: "KHS February 1990. Gift of Mr Panther - Manager Westpac Bank, Kew. Given to Kew Historical Soc."sandhill forge, genazzano convent (kew), cotham road (kew), william holt

Metal miners' 'spider', circular candle holder on side, half loop on side for resting 'spider'. Circular handle on end. Spike on one end. One continuous piece of metal forged to shape.gold mining, mining equipment, spider lamp

Used in the 19th Century. A forged steel two pronged Forked Hoe head used to break up very hard or dry ground. There is a bend at the top of the fork with a hole for the handle. It was made by a blacksmith and used in the 19th century.agricultural tools, gardening tools, steel, pitchforks

Used in the 19th century.A forged steel pick with points at both ends mounted on a handmade wooden handle with a number 5 stamped on the head. It was used for loosening and breaking up compacted soil in the 19th or early 20th century.5picks, prying tools, agricultural tools, gardening tools

This window along with the the second window in the reredos was donated by the Misses Forge in memory of their brother, James Leslie Forge, 33yo, who died on the 23 April 1917 while working on his orchard in Wingello, NSW. A Footscray local, he had donated the funds (100 pounds) for the reredos of the St Peter chapel.Arched windowsaltar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, 1917, ww1, memorial chapel, reredos, footscray, james leslie forge, edith forge, forge's store, gifts-1917

This window along with the the second window in the reredos was donated by the Misses Forge in memory of their brother, James Leslie Forge, 33yo, who died on the 23 April 1917 while working on his orchard in Wingello, NSW. A Footscray local, he had donated the funds (100 pounds) for the reredos of the St Peter chapel.Arched windowsaltar, st peter chapel, flinders street, mission to seafarers, seamen's mission, mission to seamen, st peter, sailors, seamen, anchor, stained glass windows, win, 1917, ww1, memorial chapel, reredos, footscray, james leslie forge, ruby forge, forge's store, gifts-1917

Bench drill belt driven with stand. Pat no 767.282.Aug.9.1804. Champion Blower & Forge Co USA. Painted red and green. Machine number No.201. large bench type. Circa 1900flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, bench drill, champion blower & forge co

An antique machine made forged steel pulley block with a hook at the top which moves sideways. It has a slot on the cylindrical section for the rope or chain. It is an old farm tool from the 19th or 20th century.MAKERS PATENT SNATCHpulleys, tools, lifting equipment, pulley blocks, steel

Used in the 19th century.A slightly curved wooden handled axe with a forged steel head. It is a multipurpose cutting tool used for felling and delimbing trees, splitting of logs for firewood and dressing of logs for timber conversion. It was used in the 19th century.woodworking tools, wood, steel, froes, cleaving axes, axes, cutting tools, hand axes

Two Men working at workbench and Forge at Young and Ledgars Engineering Works. Anvil at right of photograph.stawell wimmera motor vehicles

Iron 'S' brand. Circular iron handle forged into a ring at one end and flattened at the other end into iron 'S' welded to the handle. Head is 8mm thick at the weld end and tapers to a thin 2mm line.S

Used by Edgar R Sebire.A Peg tooth forged steel crosscut saw with two wooden handles bolted on. It was used to saw rough wood or cross cut wood against the grain. It was used in the late 19th Century by Edgar R Sebire.hand tools, woodworking tools, carpentry tools, wood, steel, hand saws, saws, cutting tools, crosscut saws

A forged steel headed paling knife or froe with a wooden handle used for splitting wood along the grain. It is sometimes called a cleaving tool. There is a large indented cross on the side of the head of the blade where the handle joins it.A large cross is indented on the head.cleaving tools, woodworking tools, froes, rending axes, cleaving irons

Used in the late 19th century.A forged steel narrow headed mortising axe with a long wooden handle. It was used in the construction of post and rail fences where it could be used to chip out small pieces in the wood. It was used in the late 19th century.Indecipherableaxes, cutting tools, hand axes, froes, woodworking tools, cleaving tools

Myrtle McDonald, in company with Robert Roberts, was accused of passing forged five pound notes in Carlton, August 1916. Prison record for Myrtle McDonald, prisoner registered number 730, giving details of the prisoner, her crimes and the dates and places of her trials.myrtle mcdonald, female prisoner, english speaking prisoner, forgery

School of Mines Students 1907 with mortar and Pestle and Forge Tongs. Rear second from right is W.W. Telford.Black and white photograph of eight young males, four standing, four seated. Six of the men are holding tools of trade used in training - mortar and pestle, tongs etcOn the back: Stawell School of Mines Skene Street Stawell Rear, 2nd from right Mr. W.W. TELFORDstawell education

Thomas Scott was a descendant of Sir. Walter Scott (uncle) and the grandfather of Chrissie Ottenback, mother of Mrs Ottenback the producer of tiles we have in the exhibition.|Victoria Road is now Rooks Road.White business card printed in black.Thomas Scott|Victoria Road, Mitcham.|Tinnner an Galvanizer and Manufacturer of Tinsmith's Mountings.|Meat Stands, Gridirons, and every description of light forge work.documents, cards

Don Walker was club professional at Heidelberg Golf Club 1936-1941. He died on active service in World War 2. The Don Walker Memorial Trophy is named in his honour.One of a full set of Don Walker golf clubs held at HGC.Metal shaft and head, leather grip.Inscription on head: "Don Walker. Rustless. Hand forged in Scotland. 5 iron". The hand symbol is that of the Gorge Nicoll Company of Leven, Fyfe, Scotland.heidelberg golf club, golf clubs, golf professionals, don walker, irons (golf)

Don Walker was club professional at Heidelberg Golf Club 1936-1941. He died on active service in World War 2. The Don Walker Memorial Trophy is named in his honour.One of a full set of Don Walker golf clubs held at HGC.Metal shaft and head, rubber grip.Inscription on head: "Don Walker. Rustless. Hand forged in Scotland. Putter. 9". The hand symbol is that of the George Nicoll Company of Leven, Fyfe, Scotland.heidelberg golf club, golf clubs, golf professionals, don walker, putters