Historical information
This foot grip was made and owned by Frederick William McDowell (Fred) (1880 to 15-6-1967). It would be been joined to the stafe or frame of a jinker and used to step up from the ground and onto the seat. He was a wheelwright by trade. He made and repaired vehicles such gigs, buggies, jinkers, sulkeys, spring carts and farm wagons. His workshop was on the corner of Cramer Street and Raglan Parade in Warrnambool., previously the site of Fotheringhams, and after McDowell's, and still in 2023, occupied by Reece Plumbing Fred's workplace prior to retiring was at Bryant & Waterson's in Kepler Street, opposite the Criterian Hotel, making rubber tyred horse-driven farm wagons.
Significance
This jinker's foot grip id part of a jinker or two-wheeled carriage. It is a rare item, made by a local wheelwright Frank McDowell who operated his buggy making and repair business in Warrnambool's CBD in the early twentieth century. It is an example of the equipment used on horse-drawn vehicles for safety and convenience.
Physical description
Foot grip, iron with silver plate finish. Rectangular metal plate with textured crossed over diagonal lines on the top surface and inset rectangles with impressed text. the curved and shaped ends have a drilled round hole. the length of the plate is an inverted 'v' shape towards the base. Made by F. McDowell, Warrnambool.
Inscriptions & markings
"F McDOWELL" "WARRNAMBOOL"
Subjects
- flagstaff hill,
- warrnambool,
- flagstaff hill maritime museum,
- maritime museum,
- shipwreck coast,
- flagstaff hill maritime village,
- great ocean road,
- fred mcdowell,
- frederick mcdowell,
- wheelwright,
- gig,
- buggy,
- jinker,
- sulkey,
- spring cart,
- farm wagon,
- 2-wheeled cart,
- horse cart,
- horse cart parts,
- jinker buggy,
- transport,
- vehicle,
- horse drawn,
- horse jinker,
- bryant & waterson,
- jinker part,
- jinker foot grip,
- step,
- foot plate,
- horse cart part,
- stafe,
- 2-wheeled carriage
