Surveyor Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 On 2/8/2020 at 10:20 PM, Great War truck said: Looking at this does anyone know if the size of the pick handle GS shovel and pick have changed over the years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruxy Posted February 15, 2020 Share Posted February 15, 2020 Such as the 'strapped' G.S. shovel by Bulldog or Spear & Jackson , is the authentic MOD spec. (used on tailgates) and I don't it has changed. Forget the inferior pressed steel ones, the forged ones are always dated from WW" era and by several manufacturers (IIRC the pressed steel ones are dated, general issue to all & sundry gov. departments). https://www.spear-and-jackson.com/products/hand-contractor-tools/contractors-tools/strapped-tools/spear-jackson-strapped-general What is described as the R.E. Shovel - I think that is what is now called - the No. 2 Round Mouth Shovel , ash shafted - likewise by Bulldog and S&J + probably Carter. Same 'strapped' with ash T handle. The no. 2 is the shovel fitted to such as a Hard Top back door , at angle (the bracket bigger than for G.S.) , same bracket used on front wings. Not come across that type of digging spade branded MOD broad-arrow before but a spade is a spade. I would expect strapped not inferior socket construction, best quality Irish spades are always strapped. Pick-axe head, the head may differ slightly on curvature by 1/2" (you would expect from forging method) , I would have to go to garage & measure - I think that is the modern span - so unchanged. The helve - again I would have to go to garage and measure - I think unchanged. The metal socket is often dated & older ones are malleable iron. Modern ones are pressed steel & manufactured now only by Carter. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10FM68 Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 20 hours ago, Surveyor said: Looking at this does anyone know if the size of the pick handle GS shovel and pick have changed over the years Nope! Still 3' for the pick helve and 2'4" and 9" for the shovel GS - within the tolerances of different batches and manufacturers, of course. The "RE" in Shovel RE, stands for "Round Edge". It has often been claimed that it stands for "Royal Engineers", but it doesn't, although they are the main user - the shovel GS being the all-arms shovel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surveyor Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo.T Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 Here's some pics of my pick. The head is dated 1915 and manufacturer was I think J. Yates of Birmingham (Stamp of name is not clear) The forged helve socket is marked 'THE HARDY PATENT PICK Co Ld' 1915 SHEFFIELD. with 'UNIVERSAL 2' on the reverse. This pick is a contender for the longest serving pickaxe in the British Army. It was bought from a Military surplus sale in the 70's having had its ash helve replaced (complete with Nato stock no.) This has been fitted to the Hardy's socket. As well as it's 1915 build stamp it also has a very small WD arrow and a '40' stamped into the front edge. ( Too faint and small to photograph, I did try !) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surveyor Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 Interesting the weight is on the "blade" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 Some slightly earlier ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo.T Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 (edited) Replying to Surveyor, above. I presume that is the 'class' of the pick , rather like an 8 lb sledge hammer there is also a 6 which might have identified the individual maker ? Edited February 16, 2020 by Tomo.T A confusion of posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surveyor Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 1 hour ago, fv1609 said: Some slightly earlier ones. Interesting is there a date for the book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surveyor Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 1 hour ago, Tomo.T said: Replying to Surveyor, above. I presume that is the 'class' of the pick , rather like an 8 lb sledge hammer there is also a 6 which might have identified the individual maker ? Could the number be the quality assurance checker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fv1609 Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 41 minutes ago, Surveyor said: Interesting is there a date for the book? 1883 Manual of Elementary Field Engineering, the other picture is from 1905 Manual of Military Engineering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo.T Posted February 16, 2020 Share Posted February 16, 2020 52 minutes ago, Surveyor said: Could the number be the quality assurance checker I suspect that all the stamps were applied by the same rather heavy handed worker, whilst the forging was still very hot. If he was on piece work this would have kept a tally and also supplied a source in case of complaint. Not neccessary in this case as the pick served about 60 years and would still do a turn today ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 16, 2020 Author Share Posted February 16, 2020 Wheels are now primed. Will receive a second coat of red and then an undercoat before they are taken away to have their tyres pressed on. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 18, 2020 Author Share Posted February 18, 2020 Wheels received a second coat of primer and are now in undercoat. Next step is to get them loaded up along with the new tyres and a visit to our friendly tyre press owner. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiomike7 Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 4 hours ago, Great War truck said: Wheels received a second coat of primer and are now in undercoat. Next step is to get them loaded up along with the new tyres and a visit to our friendly tyre press owner. Would that be at Woburn Sands or do you have access to one closer to home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minesweeper Posted February 18, 2020 Share Posted February 18, 2020 You've got it! Woburn Sands it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 20, 2020 Author Share Posted February 20, 2020 Took delivery of the sandblasted chassis, axles and rear springs today. No doubt as to which company made the steel for it then? We can also make out the chassis number 014489 but I dont have the chassis number lists for Peerless so I cant date it. A shame! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiomike7 Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 I hadn't noticed the under frame truss with a turnbuckle before, does it have a certain preload? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynx42 Rick Cove Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 On 2/16/2020 at 4:14 AM, Surveyor said: Looking at this does anyone know if the size of the pick handle GS shovel and pick have changed over the years I found this camouflaged G S shovel at a steam rally in 1993. It is marked W/I\D. Be a bit hard to find it in the rose garden though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 21, 2020 Author Share Posted February 21, 2020 That's super. A pity the original patina has been lost. On the subject of painting, Dad has been cracking on with the primer on the chassis. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bill Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 On 2/20/2020 at 11:13 PM, radiomike7 said: I hadn't noticed the under frame truss with a turnbuckle before, does it have a certain preload? That is a good question. I would guess at not much more than 'nipped up'. These do have a little tension on them but are seized solid and, as the frame is straight and won't carry any significant load, then we shall leave them alone. Steve 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon_M Posted February 22, 2020 Share Posted February 22, 2020 (edited) You would want the frame to have support even unloaded, so they would have a preload. Here's a challenge for you Steve. Next time you are there, ding each side gently with a small hammer and see how they sound. In theory both sides should make the same note, even after all these years. (I'm reminded of Dave Engels in the buggy tyre video above twanging both the steel cables to check they both had the same note.) Edited February 22, 2020 by Gordon_M spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 23, 2020 Author Share Posted February 23, 2020 Had a productive weekend down in Devon. Dad has finished putting on the first coat of primer, and the back axle is now up on a stand awaiting his attention. We have found the chassis number on the rail - stamped in three places. 014489. I have looked through my various records and have no chassis numbers for Peerless trucks at all. I dont suppose anybody else has this information? It is interesting to see that the chassis is a great deal shorter (well, maybe about two feet) than the Thornycroft and we can walk behind it - or at least we will be able to access the shelves behind it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 23, 2020 Author Share Posted February 23, 2020 The nest step was to look at the bearings. We managed to remove the outer bearings from the front wheels - we all ready had the rears. We looked at what we had in stock and made two good pairs which just required a great deal of cleaning. Paraffin does work wonders. The inner hub surfaces are in good condition and just required a clean up. We thought that we should have a look through what we have for the rear wheels and found quite a pile in stock. We have cleaned up the rear inners and will probably use the outers which are still in the wheels. Also, after quite a bit of rummaging we found a good pair of front and a pair of rear nuts to hold them in place. These are handed of course but we found everything we need in good condition. As we are not missing anything here and nothing is broken no one has to make anything and we can make it ready for reassembly. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted February 23, 2020 Author Share Posted February 23, 2020 We have had a great deal of thought about the back wheels. When we put them into the wheel store about 20 years ago they were in pretty bad condition. The damp has certainly not improved their condition. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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