Hi EveryoneThis Ward Arm and Platform came from Tasmania. She is complete with
Original Spare parts, Storage Box, Manual and provenance. She came from the family of Pearns - The Steam Threshing Contractors who for many years ran Pearns Steam World in Tasmania.
This was one of the very first Free-Arm style machines. They converted from a free-arm to a standard flat bed machine by a very clever built-in bed that lifted and clipped around the arm.
These machines were made by Edward Ward in London in the 1870's. Ward did make a few other machines but this is the one he is most well-known for. There was two models of the Arm and Platform machine. This is the second model which had a slightly different casting and a stitch length adjuster which the other machine did not have.
The front of the box was painted and Rob has carefully sanded a lot of it off to reveal the stencilling details underneath.
She is obviously quite a bit worn but still has a wonderful sense of character.
Cheers
Lynne and Rob
