Object number
51/416/2
Description
A mill bill is a hammer-like hand tool consisting of a bill (steel wedge) and a thrift (wooden handle). It is used for dressing millstones by the process of 'cracking' so that the correct grinding action is achieved between the upper stone, or 'runner', and the lower 'bed-stone'. This is one of six mill bill bits which belonged to the miller who started work in the mill at Eversley, Hampshire, in 1863. It is made of silver steel with the inscription 'Cast steel Sheffield'.
Physical description
1 mill bill bit: metal (silver steel); good condition
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – These mill bill bits belonged to the miller who started work in the mill at Eversley (Hants) in 1863. It is thought that he brought them with him from another mill. // The bits were used in a wooden handle or thrift for dressing millstones. Their correct name is MILL BILL, but this is [note to say that one was found in the thrift of 51/243] usually applied to the whole tool. // This collection consists of 6 bits, but two of them have been inserted into thrifts whose bits were missing. They are made of silver steel by various firms, including J. Hughes of London, and J. Burton. Their lengths vary from 7.75 to 10.25 inches, but the width is the same in each case, 1.4 inches.'
Production place
Sheffield
Production date
1800-01-01 - 1824-12-31
Production period
Early-nineteenth century
Object name
Material
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\35 series negatives\Scans\35_446.tif - High resolution image
