Stencils were used to mark produce before it went to markets and/or in transit. Produce such as bales of wool, dairy and fresh produce were so marked and the account credited to the relevant producer. The origins and provenance of the stencils is not known at this time.These stencils have no known provenance but have interpretive interest and significance..1 Oval metal stencil with the number 373 cut out of the metal and with WTC engraved above it. Circular hole in the metal on the left side. .2 Circular metal with 549 cut out of metal and S of W engraved above. One large circle and two smaller circles also cut out of the metal. .3 Oval metal stencil with the numbers 199 cut out of metal and TCW engraved above it. Circular hole has been cut out on the left..1 WTC Old catalogue number on rear 437 .2 S of W Old catalogue number on rear 442 .3 TCW. Old catalogue number on rear.433warrnambool, metal stencils, farm stencils

The stencil set has signs of use, with ink on the metal and paper stencils, and in the mixing lid and the block and tube of ink have been used too. The larger brush in this set is labelled "rubber set". The phrase is not to be confused with the 1900-1950s firm Rubberset but ''rubber set" is the process of setting the bristles of a brush into rubber to keep them together and hold them in place. This stencil set once belonged to Dr William Roy Angus. He habitually labelled his possessions with his name - this stencil set may have been used for that purpose. This set is now part of Flagstaff Hill’s comprehensive W.R. Angus Collection, donated by the family of Dr W R Angus, 1901-1970, surgeon and oculist. The W.R. Angus Collection: - The W.R. Angus Collection includes historical medical equipment, surgical instruments and material belonging to Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Thomas Francis Ryan, (both of Nhill, Victoria) and Dr Angus’ own belongings. The Collection’s history spans the medical practices of the two Doctors Ryan, from 1885-1926 plus that of Dr Angus, up until 1969. It includes historical medical and surgical equipment and instruments from the doctors Edward and Thomas Ryan of Nhill, Victoria. Dr Angus married Gladys in 1927 at Ballarat, the nearest big city to Nhill where he began as a Medical Assistant. He was also Acting House surgeon at the Nhill hospital where their two daughters were born. During World War II He served as a Military Doctor in the Australian Defence Force. Dr Angus and his family moved to Warrnambool in 1939, where Dr Angus operated his own medical practice. He later added the part-time Port Medical Officer responsibility and was the last person appointed to that position. Both Dr Angus and his wife were very involved in the local community, including the planning stages of the new Flagstaff Hill and the layout of the gardens there. Dr Angus passed away in March 1970.This stencil set is an example of objects belonging to Dr. W. R. Angus, 1901-1970, surgeon and oculist. It shows the keeness of the owner to label his posessions. The W.R. Angus Collection is significant for still being located at the site it is connected with, Doctor Angus being the last Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool. The Collection includes historical medical objects that date back to the late 1800s.Stencil set with 27 metal cut stencils of the 26 letters of the Alphabet plus an ‘&’, and a metal clip to hold the set together (.1 - .28). The set also has two wooden handled brushes (large with a purple band .29, small with grey band .30) a solid block of black ink and a tube of black paint (.31 and .32) in a green tobacco tin, and a round metal lid used for mixing the inks. The set is contained in a vintage wooden cigar box with a hinged lid. Another stencil (8452.33) is made from stiff waxed paper and reproduces the medical symbol [serpent wound around a rod or cross]. This set is part of the W. R. Angus Collection.Stamped on a large brush "PURE BRISTLE" "RUBBER SET" and a logo (looks like the head of an animal) On small brush "- - - ER" On the wooden box lid and inside the lid "EL VUELO" within a round logo with leaves, "MANILLA LEAF" and on the long side "PERLAS" "25" On wooden box end handwritten in pencil "STENCIL" On ink in a tin "The "GREYS" "SILK CUT VIRGINIA TOBACCO" On the round lid "‘Cellona’"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, dr w r angus, dr ryan, w.r. angus collection, stencils, stencil set, bristle brushes, rubber set brush, metal stencils, waxed paper stencil, black ink block, black ink tube, stencil ink, labelling equipment, el vuelo, manilla leaf cigars, the greys, virginia tobacco, silk cut virginia tobacco

Metal stencils were predominately used in the late 1800s to mark wool bales with sheep station identifiers. This stencil is a good example of the types of hand-marking that took place in the industrial landscape of Echuca, where bales were transported from nearby stations to places around Australia using the barge system that the Port has captured in its exhibition precinct to date.This item is in excellent condition and adds to the interpretative capacity of the Port Echuca collection. Small rectangular flat metal stencil with letters XBRED cut out.XBRED port of echuca, stencil

A personal notice in The Argus of 16 May 1934 records the death of Arthur Pritchard of 124 Park Hill [Parkhill] Road, Kew. His Will identifies his executors; his son and daughter. The daughter's name is given as Dorothy Gwendoline Pritchard who was presumably the owner of this equipment. Two pieces of equipment used to print / imprint a name and a postal address, probably on items of personal correspondence such as on the back of an envelope. The first is a wood and iron embosser which operates by pressing the metal level to emboss a document with the address "124 Park Hill Road / Kew E.4 / Victoria". The second is a copper stencil with the name of "D.G. Pritchard" who lived at 124 Park Hill [Parkhill] Road. A maker's mark is not identified on either the embosser or the stencil.Embosser: "124 PARK HILL ROAD / KEW E.4. / VICTORIA". Stencil: 'D. G. PRITCHARD'.d.g. pritchard, 124 parkhill road, document embossers, metal stencils

Used for fruit packing labelling.4 Metal Stencils.1. W. Henderson Seville 2. Chapman Silvan 3. A J C H.B. 4. VPC MAC stencils

Digital image of a stencil used by Greensborough real estate agents A H Lock in the 1950s. Used to produce advertising signs for houses for sale.Part of a collection of miscellaneous historical images with a connection to the local area.Digital image of metal stencil. "For sale A H Lock Sole Agents Greensborough" and phone numbersstencils, real estate agents, a h lock estate agent

This stencil was used to stamp wool bales before they were transported to another location. The meaning of P'SSA MARIA is unknown. Metal stencil with cut lettering. P'SSA MARIAwool - transportation, wool sales, wool class, wool classers, stencil

Galvanlsied metal stencil with STS block lettersSTSsunshine technical school, technical school, memento, memorabilia

Used as marker on fruit boxes by spraying paint on the Sign.Metal stencil with the word 'Blackburn' cut out.rural industry, orcharding

Would have been used by orchardists to mark fruit boxesMetal stencil - cut out 'Grown and Packed by C. Evans'commerce, labels

This stencil has been made to label packaged produce (wool bales, packaged meat etc) from a farm in Grasmere, near Warrnambool. The name, W. Robinson, suggests that this is William Robinson the son of James and Jane Robinson. James Robinson came to Australia in 1857 and he and his family farmed at Springvale at Hopkins Point, then at what was termed 'Manning's old Purnim Farm' on the Merri Rive at Grasmere (the Manning brothers, Frederick and John were early farmers in the district). The Robinson brothers, James and Stuart were well-known in the Warrnambool district as champion ploughmen. James's son, William married firstly Christina MacLennan and then Elizabeth Neale of Tooram, Allansford. William died in 1959 but the stencil was probably used on the property after his death. This farm stencil is of interest as a memento of farming at Grasmere in the first half of the 20th century.This is a metal stencil, oval in shape. It has letters cut out in the metal for stencilling purposes. It has been painted or sprayed and is rusted in places.W. Robinson 20 Grasmerewilliam robinson grasmere, manning's purnim farm

This stencil has been made to imprint the label, 'Britain Relief Appeal' on to parcels and packages sent to Britain in the late 1940s and the early 1950s from the City of Warrnambool. Britain endured severe rationing of food, clothing, petrol and furniture from 1940 because of the outbreak of World War Two and this rationing continued in some form after the war up to 1954. Australian towns and cities established organizations such as Food For Britain and sent regular parcels of food and clothing to Britain during those times. The British Relief Appeal in Warrnambool (via the Warrnambool Food For Britain committee) was sponsored by the Warrnambool City Council, Toc H, Australian Red Cross, and various local charities and businesses. The Warrnambool & District Historical Society has in its collection over 100 letters sent by grateful British recipients of these parcels to the senders, the employees of the local Warrnambool business, Swintons Stores.This stencil is of interest as a memento of the effects of rationing in Britain in post-World War Two times and the close ties that existed between Australian towns and cities and their British counterparts.This is a rectangular-shaped metal stencil, originally painted black, with cut-out letters in the centre. Britain Relief Appealwarrnambool food for britain committee, warrnambool britain relief committee, world war two

Woolbrokers Shipping Department stencil "LEEDS"Silver metal stencil with cut lettering. Stencil has two holes in each top corner.LEEDSstencil, shipping, export, wool industry, woolbrokers

This was used by Frank Warren at Bete Bolong / Newmerella. The Warren Brothers had a farm on the Bete Bolong road at Newmerella. They grew beans, peas, maize and pumpkins for export to Melbourne (by train) until the 1970's.This item is significant because it was specially made agricultural produce in the Orbost district, a major industry in the first half of the 20th century.A metal stencil for use on bean or maize bags. It is rectangular with rounded corners, Cut out is "F.W. WARREN ORBOST"agriculture farming warren stencil

Metal stencil, rectangular with rounded corners. Cut out of a sheep's head, map of Australia, and 83 PI 57187.83 PI 57187shearing wool bales, shearing, wool bales

This stencil was used on bags and possibly other packaging containing grain processed and packed at Anderson's Mill. The stencil would have indicated the destination of, or origin of the grain.Metal stencil (steel), rusty rectangular shape, corners cut off. Lettering surrounded with blue paint. Square hole top RH corner."BMTC / PENANG"

This stencil was used on bags and possibly other packaging containing grain processed and packed at Anderson's Mill. The stencil would have indicated the destination of, or origin of the grain.(approx) Rectangular metal stencil for oat or flour bag; rectangular section has been cut away from top LH corner, triangular section has been cut away from top RH corner; significant surface rusting; one letter of the stencil marking (letter R) has been covered over with a rectangular metal piece soldered onto stencil surface."SGC (R) / PORT SWETTENHAM"

Oliver Lewis Randell (1836-1/7/1899) was a Welshman who began in Ballarat in the 1860's before moving to the Bendigo goldfields in 1871. He was a speculator and one of the first members of the Bendigo Stock Exchange. He had large stock holdings throughout the state, including at the time of his death, 2000 shares in the New Chum Mining Co., and 1000 shares in the North Duke Mining Co., both of BendigoThree metal stencils. Brass frame with gold outer edge and oval shape in centre. Name O.L.Randall in one stencil and two with initials OLR in centre. Bailey Bros in left hand corner Engravers in right hand corner Chancery Lane in bottom left hand corner London WC in bottom right hand corner. Cardboard square with Logo on engraver in purple inkstencils, o.l. randall

Stencil used by Sgt. Albert David Lowerson, VC, a soldier settler on Merriang Estate near Myrtleford. Lowerson acquired one of 19 blocks assigned by the Closer Settlement Board on the 700 acre estate in 1920. The stencil marked bales of cured tobacco leaves prior to shipment to Melbourne. Lowerson was one of the few successful soldier settler farmers in the district, operating a piggery, dairy farming and growing tobacco for almost 20 years on "St. Quentin". (Lowerson was awarded the Victoria Cross at Mont St. Quentin on September 1, 1918.) His success and status enabled him to lead a submission on farm debt and infrastructure problems when the soldier settlement scheme was being reviewed at government level. He was active locally on these issues and supported fund raising for a war memorial, memorial hall and veteran welfare.The stencil represents the achievements of A.D.Lowerson, VC as an isolated example of success as a WW1 soldier settler and as a local identity who stridently supported the need for recognition and support of ex-service personnel.Stencil made of thin sheet metal, rusted .Wording of stencil "A.D.LOWERSON. MYRTLEFORD." lowerson a.d., merriang estate, myrtleford, closer settlement board, tobacco, st. quentin, victoria cross, world war 1

This stencil was used on bags and possibly other packaging containing grain processed and packed at Anderson's Mill. The stencil would have indicated the destination of, or origin of the grain.Large stencil, metal (tin?). 3 corners of stencil chipped off at angle. Large piece of corner missing from top left.Cut out of stencil depicts cockerel & the words "SUNVALLEY FLAKED WHEATMEAL"

Metal, wool bale stencil, never used. Belonged to Dalgety New Zealand Loan, Brooklyn. The wool store was once located in Frederick Rd, BrooklynDNZL BRYdalgety, kalingra road, brooklyn, manufacturing, rural industry

Demonstrates how the SEC used signage to convey instructions to passengers and confirm the advice of the conductor.A brass metal plate sign with stenciled lettering and border lines etched and painted black. A small hole has been drilled in each of the corners to enable fixing to the tram car. The reverse has remnants of glue and timber fragments from past adhesion.tram signs, tram cars, tram safety signs

Collingwood Technical School which opened on 15 July 1912, changed its name to Collingwood Technical College (CTC) in 1970. This stencil is of the CTC logo. It is made from thin sheets of metal, possibly tin-plated, with the design cut into the metal so that the design can be reproduced when colour is rubbed through it. The logo appears in school publications including school magazines from 1971 to 1980 (see descriptive article about the logo in Turawan 1971). Over the same period of time the logo was also used on emblems for School blazers, Cadet uniforms and on school standards and banners.This item is historically significant as a record and example of the change of name of the Collingwood Technical School to Collingwood Technical College in 1970, and it links to the description of the logo in the school magazine 1971.Metal (possibly tin plated) stencil, of Collingwood Technical College (CTC) logo, consisting of 2 parts. One: Outer circle with gear cog shaped outer edge. Two: Diamond shaped centrepiece with a square, an artist's palette and a pair of calipers enclosing the College monogram CTC.collingwood technical college, stencils, nmit,

Wool bale stencil owned and used by donor. Donor was a wool classer in New South Wales working from the 1960s to c2000. This stencil was used by the donor as they traveled from station to station and was used to stencil their registration number on the bales of wool that they had classed. The stencil was created by the Australian Wool Corporation who mailed the stencil to the donor. We also have the original envelope.Metal rectangular wool bale stencil. Stencil has cutouts of a sheep head symbol on left side and the number '83' and 'PI' on either side of an Australia shape on the top right. There are three horizontal rectangles below this, and below them is the number 54719. Faintly engraved at the top is the text AWC PROPERTY / NOT TRANSFERABLE. Rear of stencil is a shiny light metallic colour. Front side is scratched and stained, particularly around the text areas. This would be due to use. Associated envelope is worn and becoming frail. It is a cream colour with heavy staining and opened on the right side. Top left has a printed return address, top right has a stamp area. Affixed postal address is for the donor and that is above a blue stamped text reading IMPORTANT / DO NOT BEND. Back of envelope has a stamped print of the stencil and another bright red stamp. Possibly put there by the donor.

Strong large cane wicker baskets such as this one were used for storage and transportation. This basket could have been used for storing sails on a vessel, or sending luggage, parcels or goods by rail, ship, wagon or cart from one location to another. The basket would also be suitable for laundry in hospitals, factories such as woollen mills, and other organisations for storing and moving equipment and goods. The inscription " A A S" has not yet been researched. It could be the name of an Australian- Service, or a - - Ship or even the initials of a person. This basket is an example of a large, strong container used for storage or transportation during the 19th and 20th centuries.Basket, natural coloured woven cane or wicker, rectangular shape with lid. Two leather straps and buckles fasten the lid to the basket. The basket has a strong rope handle on each side, metal reinforcing straps that support three wood strengthening lengths on the top of the hinged lid. The lid is hinged to the basket at the back with metal hinges. The inside frame is reinforced with wood. There is a large inscription in black paint is stencilled onto the lid of the basket."A A S"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, basket, sail storage, maritime furniture, luggage, transport storage basket, wicker hamper, vintage wicker chest, wicker trunk, cane storage basket, dispatch basket, a a s

This rocket launching machine is used in conjunction with the Dennett Rocket Set. Both are part of the rocket rescue equipment that launches the line-throwing rescue rockets. A light line is threaded through the carved holes in the 8 foot long shaft and attached to the scribed channel at the base of the shaft. The rocket head is fitted to the shaft and inserted into the machine. The machine is set at an angle determined by the person in charge of the rescue crew, and the legs and base of the machine are adjusted accordingly with the use of the quadrant, or protractor, and plumb-bob on the side of the machine. The rocket is then ignited and fired across the vessel in distress. John Dennett - John Dennett was from Carisbrooke, in the Ilse of Wight, UK. In 1826 he invented, patented and demonstrated an improved method of rocket powered, line firing rescue equipment for saving lives. The rockets had a longer range than the mortars being used, they were lighter, needed less preparation time, only needed one line for repeated shots, and fewer people were needed to move the equipment. Very favourable reports of Dennett’s rockets were received by those in charge of His Majesty’s Naval and Military services. In 1832, Dennett’s rocket-thrown line was sent out to the wreck of the ‘Bainbridge’, and was responsible for nineteen survivors coming ashore in two boatloads, along the fired line. Dennett’s rocket received national fame, and a one-year contract to supply rockets to the Coastguards. He became known as ‘Rocket Man’ and his rockets were used in rescues at least until 1890, when his son Horatio was running the business. A rocket weighing 23 lb would have a range of about 250 yards (228 metres), on average. Saving lives in Warrnambool – The coastline of South West Victoria is the site of over 600 shipwrecks and many lost lives; even in Warrnambool’s Lady Bay there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905, with eight lives lost. In 1859 the first Government-built lifeboat arrived at Warrnambool Harbour and a shed was soon built to house it. In 1858 the provision of rocket and mortar apparatus was approved for lifeboat stations in Victoria, and in 1864 a rocket house was built to safely store the rocket rescue equipment. In 1878 the buildings were moved to the Breakwater area, and in 1910 the new Lifeboat Warrnambool arrived with its ‘self-righting’ design. For almost a hundred years the lifeboat and rocket crews, mostly local volunteers, trained regularly to maintain their rescue skills. They were summoned when needed by alarms, gunshots, ringing bells and foghorns. Some became local heroes but all served an important role. By the end of the 1950s the lifeboat and rescue equipment had become obsolete. Rocket Rescue Method - The Government of Victoria adopted lifesaving methods based on Her Majesty’s Coast Guard in Great Britain. It authorised the first line-throwing rescue system in 1858. Captain Manby’s mortar powered a projectile connected to rope, invented in 1808. The equipment was updated to John Dennett’s 8-foot shaft and rocket method that had a longer range of about 250 yards. From the 1860s the breeches buoy and traveller block rocket rescue apparatus was in use. It was suspended on a hawser line and manually pulled to and from the distressed vessel carrying passengers and items. In the early 1870s Colonel Boxer’s rocket rescue method became the standard in Victoria. His two-stage rockets, charged by a gunpowder composition, could fire the line up to 500-600 yards, although 1000 yards range was possible. Boxer’s rocket carried the light line, which was faked, or coiled, in a particular way between pegs in a faking box to prevent twists and tangles when fired. The angle of firing the rocket to the vessel in distress was measured by a quadrant-type instrument on the side of the rocket machine. Decades later, in about 1920, Schermuly invented the line-throwing pistol that used a small cartridge to fire the rocket. The British Board of Trade published instructions for both the beach rescue crew and ship’s crew. It involved setting up the rocket launcher on shore at a particular angle measured by the quadrant, inserting a rocket that had a light-weight line threaded through its shaft, and then firing it across the stranded vessel, the line issuing freely from the faking board. A tally board was then sent out to the ship with instructions in four languages. The ship’s crew would haul on the line to bring out the heavier, continuous whip line, then secure the attached whip block to the mast or other sturdy part the ship. The rescue crew on shore then hauled out a stronger hawser line, which the ship’s crew fixed above the whip block. The hawser was then tightened using the block on the shore end of the whip. The breeches buoy and endless whip are then attached to the traveller block on the hawser, allowing the shore crew to haul the breeches buoy to and from the vessel, rescuing the stranded crew one at a time. This rocket launcher machine is significant for its connection with local history, maritime history and marine technology. Lifesaving has been an important part of the services performed from Warrnambool's very early days, supported by State and Local Government, and based on the methods and experience of Great Britain. Hundreds of shipwrecks along the coast are evidence of the rough weather and rugged coastline. Ordinary citizens, the Harbour employees, and the volunteer boat and rescue crew, saved lives in adverse circumstances. Some were recognised as heroes, others went unrecognised. In Lady Bay, Warrnambool, there were around 16 known shipwrecks between 1850 and 1905. Many lives were saved but tragically, eight lives were lost.Rocket launcher, named a Rocket Machine, and storage box. Launcher has a long open metal channel with a spike at the base, and narrow, rectangular device, which is the line-firing rocket machine, at the top, all painted blue. Two hinged wooden legs are attached where the channel and machine meet. The side of the machine has an oval cut-out window and an attached quadrant, or protractor, with a plumb-bob on it. The quadrant has angles marked in degrees. The long protective box has white stencilled letters along the side. Its lid has three hinges and is fastened with two metal latches.On box “ROCKET MACHINE” On quadrant “10” “20” “30” “40”flagstaff hill maritime museum & village, flagstaff hill, maritime museum, maritime village, warrnambool, great ocean road, shipwreck, life-saving, lifesaving, rescue crew, rescue, rocket rescue, maritime accidents, shipwreck victim, rocket crew, beach rescue, line rescue, rescue equipment, rocket firing equipment, rocket rescue equipment, rocket apparatus, beach apparatus, petticoat breeches, breeches buoy, rocket house, rocket shed, lifeboat men, rocket equipment, rocket machine, rocket head, rocket launcher, rocket line, marine technology, william schermuly, line-firing pistol, line throwing gun, schermuly pistol, pistol rocket apparatus, beach rescue set, traveller, block, running block, pulley, hawser, faking, faking box, faked line, rescue boat, lifeboat, lady bay, warrnambool harbour, port of warrnambool, tramway jetty, volunteer lifesavers, volunteer crew, breakwater, lifeboat warrnambool, rocket rescue method, rocket rescue apparatus, captain manby, mortar, henry trengrouse, sky rocket, john dennett, shore to ship, colonel boxer, two-stage rocket, italian hemp, quadrant, protractor, schermuly, line-throwing pistol, line throwing cartridge, rocket apparatus rescue, stranded vessel, tally board, light line, whip line, endless whip, petticoat buoy, traveller chair, traveller block, her majesty’s coast guard, harbour board, line thrower, line throwing, beach cart, hand barrow, sand anchor, hawser cutter, life jacket, faking board, welsh hand barrow, rocket set

A flare, also sometimes called a fusee, is a type of pyrotechnic that produces a bright light or intense heat without an explosion. Flares are used for distress signalling, illumination, communication or defensive countermeasures in civilian and military applications. Flares may be ground pyrotechnics, projectile pyrotechnics, or parachute-suspended to provide maximum illumination time over a large area. Projectile pyrotechnics may be dropped from aircraft, fired from rocket or artillery, or deployed by flare guns or hand held percussive tubes. Signalling flares have been in use by all branches of the military services since the 1920s also by the maritime services to signal other ships or for distress purposes. The earliest recorded use of gunpowder for signalling purposes was the 'signal bomb' used by the Chinese Song Dynasty as the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty besieged Yangzhou in 1276. These soft-shelled bombs, timed to explode in mid-air, were used to send messages to a detachment of troops far in the distance. Another mention of the signal bomb appears in a text dating from 1293 requesting their collection from those still stored in Zhejiang. A signal gun appears in Korea by 1600. The (Wu I Thu Phu Thung Chih or Illustrated Military Encyclopedia) written in 1791 depicts a signal gun in an illustration. The item was used to carry and store flares for signalling use as the inscription on the canvas cover suggests. Given the method of storing flares is in a wicker basket that is non conducting of an electrical charge that may accidentally set of explosive materials. The writer assumes the basket was used from the early 20th century and most likely by maritime or military services to store it's flares.Basket cane square with metal locks & rope handles each end. Canvas reinforced on vertical sides with a canvas cover on top. Canvas cover has leather straps. Stencilled on canvas in white paint "SIGNALLING STORES" flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, basket, cane basket, signalling stores

Originally used in the Electrical Engineering Department at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education.Light coloured wood box with hinged lid. Metal brackets for carrying handle strap - missing. Inside, wooden section with sliding knob. This is the sliding contact for metal bars underneath.Diagram on blue paper attache to inside of lid. Stencilled on front "P1 4". On DYMO tape of side of box "USE WITH FREQ METER". Aluminium sticker on lid - "BALLARAT C.A.E." Scratched beneath this "ELEC / ENG DPT" electrical engineering, ballarat college of advanced education, electrical instrument, sliding resistance, scientific instruments