Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Sterling linen tape measure

 These "Sterling" cloth tapes were produced by the Lufkin company through the 1940s, they were sold alongside the steel measuring tape they introduced in 1890.  Previous Lufkin post here.



 

MG speed record car, EX135


  The MG EX135 was part of a series of MG speed record racers campaigned from the 1930s till the 1950s. This car started out as a single seat circuit racer. With help from the company Reid Railton, a fully streamlined body was fabricated and with 49 year old Lieutenant Colonel Goldie Gardner at the wheel, the car achieved 187.62 mph on a German autobahn in November 1938.


Monday, February 9, 2026

Indians for the army


 Reminds me of a song: One little, two little, three little....

Wrenches not made here, Urrea?



Thanks to Anon in the comments, I've been corrected, its not Ukkea , it's Urrea... I blame the font! This is an unusual one, it's a standard 11/16- 3/4" wrench, but also marked in metric to one decimal place and a first for me, hecho en (made in) Mexico!


 



Sunday, February 8, 2026

Vard hydraulic fork


 Vard was a supplier of landing gear to the aviation industry during WW2, after the war they applied their expertise to making an aftermarket telescopic fork for motorcycles. More here,  

Sidecar Sunday




 

Saturday, February 7, 2026

Hoggson & Pettis conductors punch

 

  Hoggson & Pettis was more known for their Sweetland patent lathe chuck but Samuel Hoggson started the company in 1848 to make stencils, stamping and cutting dies. When Pettit joined the company in 1878, the chuck was added to the product line. A quick google brings up a number of other products, hole punches, leather marking wheels, a typewriter and this conductor's ticket punch. The company is said to have ben in business till at least 1918.










ISDT BMW 1967


 The engine seems to be lifted in the frame and pretty sure that's a Yamaha tank.

Friday, February 6, 2026

We used to make things in this country #375 Massey Harris pressure sprayer


 

Infantometer

Modern medicine can't thank Dr. Dumay enough for this device to accurately measure the height (or length) of a baby lying down. The next thing is to consider how to pronounce the word. Is it In-FANT-o-meter or Infan-TOM-a-ter?