51/686/1

This is the main body of a bottle jack, a device for turning a spit. The bottle jack was hung either in a Dutch oven placed in front of the fire, or from a jack rack suspended above the fire. It is operated by clockwork and the meat is turned for several rotations in one direction and then back in the other. The mechanism is enclosed in a round brass case and is wound up by a key. This jack is complete with flywheel (round spit). It was made by Salter of West Bromwich and has the number 50 stamped on the base.

1 bottle jack and spit: metal; good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'Miss Smith gives no indication of the origin of this bottle jack. The disk, which covers the keyhole, has the maker’s name ‘Salter’ stamped on it. The number 50 appears on the base. // With the bottle jack, there is a round spit which hooks on to the base of the jack and rotates with it. The mat or poultry could be suspended over the fire from a hook or the four rings attached to the spit. // The bottle jack measures 15.25 inches in length, and 11.25 inches in circumference, the spit is 7.5 inches in diameter, and the overall length is 18 inches. // See also 51/97 M.', No Lavinia Smith No. recorded.

West Bromwich

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)