Branding irons are used to print a burn an identifying marker on the hide of horses or cattle so that they may be later identified if they become lost or escape from their pasture. The irons were typically forged by blacksmiths using a toolset that included hammers, anvils and chisels. The branding irons were used by heating the end bearing the owner’s initials to a very high temperature in a furnace, and then burnishing it against the skin of the cow. Brands were registered with state governments as unique marks. This allowed for a state registry to be maintained. This is an example of an implement used locally in the livestock industry.A branding iron with letter R on circular end. Handle loop is oval shaped. It has been painted blue to half way.branding-iron rural-industry

Branding irons are used to print a burn an identifying marker on the hide of horses or cattle so that they may be later identified if they become lost or escape from their pasture. The irons were typically forged by blacksmiths using a toolset that included hammers, anvils and chisels. The branding irons were used by heating the end bearing the owner’s initials to a very high temperature in a furnace, and then burnishing it against the skin of the cow. Brands were registered with state governments as unique marks. This allowed for a state registry to be maintained. This item was used in Orbost in the livestock industry.This item is an example of an implement once used in the livestock industry in Orbost.A branding iron with the letter W on the end. It has a long iron handle with a ring grip at the top.branding-iron rural-industry

This iron would have been used locally. Wehner's Blacksmith's was founded at Orbost in 1889. Oswald Wehner began working in 1910 with his father. In 1947 Ossie's son, Tom started blacksmithing, working alongside his father. Wehner's closed in 1991. (ref. In Times Gone By - Deborah Hall)This is an example of an implement used locally in the livestock industry in the last century. "Wehner's Blacksmiths was an important part in the business life of Orbost and was probably the most recent business to close with a link to our past." (Deborah Hall)Branding iron with either M or W as the brand. Circular, hanging.branding-iron rural-industry livestock

Branding irons are used to print a burn an identifying marker on the hide of horses or cattle so that they may be later identified if they become lost or escape from their pasture. The irons were typically forged by blacksmiths using a toolset that included hammers, anvils and chisels. The branding irons were used by heating the end bearing the owner’s initials to a very high temperature in a furnace, and then burnishing it against the skin of the cow. Brands were registered with state governments as unique marks. This allowed for a state registry to be maintained. This item is an example of a common implement used in the livestock industry in Orbodt.A long-handled branding iron with an S or 2 on the end. There is a loop at the top for hanging.branding-iron rural livestock-industry

Branding irons are used to print a burn an identifying marker on the hide of horses or cattle so that they may be later identified if they become lost or escape from their pasture. The irons were typically forged by blacksmiths using a toolset that included hammers, anvils and chisels. The branding irons were used by heating the end bearing the owner’s initials to a very high temperature in a furnace, and then burnishing it against the skin of the cow. Brands were registered with state governments as unique marks. This allowed for a state registry to be maintained. This branding iron was used in Orbost. This item is an example of an implement commonly used in the livestock industry in Orbost.A long-handled branding iron with J H at the end. There is a hanging loop at the top.branding-iron rural livestock-industry

Branding irons are used to print a burn an identifying marker on the hide of horses or cattle so that they may be later identified if they become lost or escape from their pasture. The irons were typically forged by blacksmiths using a toolset that included hammers, anvils and chisels. The branding irons were used by heating the end bearing the owner’s initials to a very high temperature in a furnace, and then burnishing it against the skin of the cow. Brands were registered with state governments as unique marks. This allowed for a state registry to be maintained. This item was used in Orbost in the livestock industry.This item is an example of a common implement used in rural industry in Orbost.A branding iron with the letter J on the end. It has a long handle with a ring grip at the top.branding-iron livestock-industry rural-industry

Hames are attached to a horse collar used to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wood pieces, called hames, to which the traces, which attach to the wagon or plough, of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling. This pair of hames would have been used on a farm in the Orbost district. Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.A pair of horse hames, iron shaped over a wood frame and linked together by a metal chain and hook. Each has a hook attached and a ring at the end held by string,WARRANTED SWAN BRAND FORGEDsaddlery horses hames agriculture rural equestrian

Long iron shaft with 'J.P' on bottom and curved handle on top.rural industry, livestock