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An Anglo-swiss pattern brass, bronze and steel watchmaker’s mandril c1890 with 22 cm brass hand-wheel supported on a later teak stand. This mandril is as described and illustrated in FJ Britten’s Watch and Clockmakers’ Handbook; pp. 270-274  (published by the Antique Collector’s Club). The mandril has a brass bed raised on wooden stand of traditionally oil finished teak and attached by brass taper pins (making it easily dismountable for use in a vice). Brass headstock with adjustable rear bearing and curved taper front bearing with pluggable oiler. The headstock has steel bar extensions for the main hand-wheel and idler pulley, which can be re-positioned for left or right-hand use. Replacement leather driving cord. Spring loaded adjustable headstock centre with brass cover-plate. The faceplate has three fully adjustable dogs for holding the workpiece. Saddle is freely moveable on the bed, with a large butterfly wingnut clamp. The cross-slide and compound slide run on fully adjustable bronze dovetails and allows tool movement in the x and y axis. Tool feed is via an indexed micrometer screw with steel register. The tool height is adjustable through an ingenious system of screw adjustable wedges (visible on images behind the tool). Brass and bronze throughout, aside from the drive-wheel support and pulley support as described. Machine screws are largely pop-marked for their respective locations and many with brass washers. Original ebony handles to the main drive wheel and cross-slide crank. Headstock rotation is very slick and concentric with no discernible end-shake, and minimal backlash on cross-slide and compound slide making the mandril eminently useable. Overall length approximately 54 cm and 33 cm in height. Sympathetically cleaned and restored.

Anglo-Swiss Pattern Brass & Steel Watchmaker's Mandril c1890

SKU: MS138
£0.00Price
  • This watchmaker's mandril is in excellent condition commensurate with age. Fully functioning. Surface patina due to age throughout. Please see images as these form an important part of the description.

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