Screw Jack

Object/Artifact

-

Waterperry Museum

Screw jack

Screw jack

Name/Title

Screw Jack

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.975

Description

Brass and metal jack with heavy metal base, large screw/spindle and square nut on top. Turning the spindle raises or lowers the nut. To turn the spindle a rod is inserted through the holes seen at the top of the spindle. When turned upside down the jack is hollow.

Context

Surprisingly in the 17th and 18th century 'jacks' were designed to move or pry open heavy objects and a similar item has been found on 18th century shipwreck. They were depicted on trade cards advertising the services and workshops of various smiths and ironmongers. As a generic lifting device, they could have been used is such tasks as moving cargo to lifting the wheels of gun carriages.

Cataloged By

Felix Lam

Category

Tools

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Source or Donor

Gordon Dempster

Acquisition Method

Transfer

Dimensions

Height

310 mm

Diameter

140 mm

Circumference

440 mm

Material

Brass, Metal

Location

* Untyped Location

SWL

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good