ACETYLENE GAS LAMP, 1940's

A small tablet Calcium Carbide C2H2 is placed in the reservoir in the base, tap water is placed in a chamber above, this is released onto the tablet, on contact with water the tablet will fizz producing acetylene gas, which is ignited at the burner. The screw knob at the back to give varying amounts of light can control the rate of flow of the water. When the tablet has been exhausted the unit has to be cleaned before being reused. Through the glass can be seen the Carbide chamber at the bottom, the burner above, and behind this, the water reservoir which doubles as a reflector.

A1691

WOLF 'CUBMASTER' POWER DRILL, 1950's

S.Wolf started his Company as far back as 1900, and opening his 'Pioneer' works in1935 when it became Wolf Electric Tools Ltd' at Hanger lane London NW5. In 1939 they produced a DIY drill was called 'CUB', the 'Cubmaster' came later the date being uncertain. Both drills as in later models were constructed with a solid die cast body, but only a capacity for a 1/4 inch drill maximum, running at 250 RPM and no speed control as in modern tools. This was long before other makers of DIY tools existed such as Black & Decker. The royal seal of approval was given to Wolf Electrical Tools Ltd.
Together with the drill is speed reduction gear with a ratio of 4 to 1, giving an increase in power; this unit is made by 'Mason Master'. Purchased at a price of £2-15 shillings. No more is known about this item.

A1644

SIGNAL TORCH WITH KEY

Although not marked as military these units would double as normal torch with the added advantage of a Morse key at the rear end, enabling it to be used for signalling by Morse code. This would make them useful for military proposes. Also provided is a bracket at the end to stabilise its use when using the key. The key can be pushed in to its housing for protection, and at the other end of this housing is screw cap containing a spare bulb. See also item A1602.

A1601

POSTER 'AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS', 1937

Poster from 1937 advising residents of Parson Drove of the impending danger of Air raids. Apparently it was not very well attended, most people were not convinced that there would be a War.

Donated by Roger Reader

A1590

JONES SEWING MACHINE, 1930's

The Jones Type CS range started in 1895. This machine is a Type 5 Variant 1 and was made around 1935, its serial number is 15317 indicating a rough guide to its age. CS stands for Central or Cylinder Shuttle, a type patented by William Jones using a vibrating method, different from Singer machines in America being imported in 1895 when Jones decided to design an improved machine in the UK. He opened his first factory in 1860.

Donated by Anna Wallis

A1589

PIFCO ELECTRIC FLASHER, 1950's

On the box it reads ''Make your Fairy lights flash''. Used in the days when power for appliances was drawn from a light bulb socket via a switched double adapter. Most homes in the 1950's only had one power socket per home.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1575

A LAUNDMASTER, 1960's

Ultrasonic cleaning unit. We are not sure how it should be used, it looks like the large round unit is placed but not submerged in the water amongst the material to be cleaned, and there may have been a stand as the sonic element is in the base.

A label attached by a previous collector said 'similar to Vibrasonic'.

Item moved from the Mysteries section.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1582

FOB WATCH HOLDER WITH MAGNIFIER, 1940's

A bedside fob watch holder with a magnifying glass illuminated by a bulb in front of the watch powered by an internal battery and turned on by a pear shaped push button switch. The individual would place the unit by there bedside, if they wished to know the time it could be viewed by pressing the switch without the need for there spectacles unlike other units of this type.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1571

JOHN BULL PRINTING SET No8, 1959

Printing set from 1959, simple documents can be printed with this kit, aimed mainly at children creating a few words at a time.

A1555

RACING PIGEON CLOCK, circa 1940

Required for racing competitions, on release the bird could fly up to 1000km when returning home the owners ring attached to bird would be placed in the slot on top of the unit, the handle being turned moved the ring onto a sealed position and the time was stamped on a roll of paper inside the unit.

A1545

POLICEMANS HAND/BELT LAMP, 1950's

Police belt lamp with wire handle, containing spare bulb, and box. Crown and ER stamped on the front. As Spec MW/CS/105 marked on the box.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1490

EXIDE ACCUMULATOR EVER READY BOX AND CARRYING CASE, 1940's

Standard Exide Accumulator with Ever Ready cardboard box in a wooden carrying case for two units.

A1447

GEC EARLY ELECTRIC FAN, 1950's

An Electric Fan made by GEC.

A0503

EVER READY TORCH, 1940's

Wooden Lamp with handle and lever switch.
Battery type unknown.

A0211

DROP DOWN LAMP, 1950's

Common pull down system, used in offices and shops before the Second World War.
This one is a 1950's style

A0113

EP TOY MOTOR, 1940's

Possibly made for powering Meccano builds. 2.4 Volt

A0886

EARLY WARNING SIGN 'IT IS DANGEROUS TO TOUCH THE WIRES', 1930's

Early warning sign advising persons not to touch the electric wires.
Also written in Welsh.
Common when Electricity was first introduced into homes.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1151

NOVELTY BIRD FOB WATCH HOLDER, 1920's

A novelty item for children with two lamps for eyes. On its nose is a hook presumably for a fob Watch.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1228

NANOX MAGNETO TORCH, 1919

Pushing the side flat metal lever drives a small generator to power the lamp.
This item is in perfect condition and still works.

Bruce Hammond Collection

A1231

CARBIDE LANTERN, 1950's

This Lantern was used by the 3rd Boxmoor Scouts before being donated to the museum.

Donated by Dennis Huke

A0814

TOY STEAM ENGINE, 1940's

A working model of a Steam Engine made in Germany by M.G.& Company as a toy.

A0807