Historical information

This hand wringer or mangle was made in the USA in the early 1900s and was used by a householder in Williamstown. Common in laundries before the advent of spin driers, wringers squeezed the water out of clothes and other items after washing to enhance drying. They were particularly useful for large or heavy items such as sheets, blankets, or workwear. This smaller wringer was used for smaller items.

Physical description

Wooden framed hand wringer with adjustable rubber rollers. Two wing-nuts screw down on a concave steel spring to increase pressure on laundry items. Winding handle engages cogs to turn rollers in the opposite direction. Two horse shoe shaped clamps (adjustable) to fit on all types of laundry troughs.

Inscriptions & markings

"The American Wringer Co, New York, USA"
"‘Household’ ‘Horseshoe Brand’, standard high grade warranted 151 - 11 x 1 3/4. It’s all in the rubber. Horse shoe combination tub clamps will hold wringer securely to galvanised iron fibre or wood tubs. Pat. June ‘98, No. 300 (on adjustable screens), No. 26 on winding handle. No 151"