Victorian grain measures

[Nick Simpson]

These are part of my heritage. My family were corn merchants in mid 1800s variously known as corn factors or corn brokers.
These are dry grain measures. I remember dipping them into sacks of wheat, barley and corn as a child in the '50s.
They have exact volumes (measured by filling with wheat) of 1 pint, 1/2 pint and 1/4 pint (Gill). They are made from Sycamore and ash respectively. Moisture content was 20-25% when turned.




I discussed the method of manufacture with Stuart King. They appear to have been made on a continuously rotating lathe.
I made them as an exercise as functional items rather than glossy sales pieces.
My method is here:


The originals now look like this............and all bear assay marks and various mid-1800 dates



I have resisted staining the measures because they would have been white wood when made. They are not perfect but perfectly functional.

C& C welcome
Nick

[Bryan Milham]

Most of us turn for pleasure, a few to make a living.

But to see item like this is the reminder I think we all need occasionally, that once the Wood Turner was as important as the Blacksmith in any village or town.

Their turnings were to produce the everyday items needed around the home, farm and local industries.

Well done in reproducing items form your families past and thanks for the reminder of the tradition we should strive to carry forward.

Bryan

[Les Symonds]

Most of us turn for pleasure, a few to make a living.

But to see item like this is the reminder I think we all need occasionally, that once the Wood Turner was as important as the Blacksmith in any village or town.

Their turnings were to produce the everyday items needed around the home, farm and local industries.

Well done in reproducing items form your families past and thanks for the reminder of the tradition we should strive to carry forward.

Bryan

Here, here! Couldn't have said it better than that (or even, as well as that).

Les

[Tom Sherman]

An excellent reminder that wood turning has a practical side. Great work.

[Mark Sanger]

Great to see these, how you made them and the connection with your family history. Thank you for sharing.

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

Thanks for showing these Nick. This is one of the reasons that the Worshipful Company of Turners was brought about, to standardise measures as there were some that made short measures for non- discerning retailers.