The Old Lawnmower Club
Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

SILENS MESSOR DRAWBAR ROPE FIXING

Enter a word or two to search the forum section and click the Search Forum button.
Mowing Wurzel

Good day,

I wonder if anybody has definitive evidence of how the rope was connected to The Green's  "Silens Messor"  drawbar?

Was it simply knotted through the hole, or was a metal hook tied to the rope then that hooked through the drawbar eyelet for easy removal?

I'm sure some close up old contemporary photograph must exist?

Then there is the question; dd the rope go through the wooden pull handle?

Forums

Clive1997 Thu, 15/08/2024

Hello Paul, great question, here's some info for you to ponder...

Illustration from 1865 advertisement.....

Parts list 1917.....

Parts List 1929....

Some period photographs, all straight handle SM's.....

Close up of above...

I think you should copy the one in the 1865 advert, how are your rope weaving skills?

I have certainly come across what i believe were original versions with the hook, interesting that this seems to be on the later parts list.

Let me know if any further information required.

stonethemows Thu, 15/08/2024

The best answer is probably found in the Parts list. This shows the ' Drawing Rope ' going through the wooden handle and having some sort of small snap shackle the other end to attach to the drawbar. This is the best extract I can get :

I would be very surprised if there is a contemporary photo that shows adequate detail.

stonethemows Thu, 15/08/2024

OK I'm very surprised but  one can often rely on Clive for a better answer; well done and thank you.

Mowing Wurzel Thu, 15/08/2024

1865

Thank you ...   Looks like I will source a crowd control concierge barrier lanyard, like those of a large scale used at theatres, etc 

That is if they make one that small.             I will look online to see what's available.

lanyard

 

Mowing Wurzel Thu, 15/08/2024

..if the crowd barrier lanyard's aren't  strong enough.....will use a carabiner.

 

Mowing Wurzel Thu, 15/08/2024

looking further online,  a hook of nautical use,  decking hook,  or something of that nature.

Mowing Wurzel Thu, 15/08/2024

.Trigger Hook's another lead.

Will probably make my own one,  then the mower will be all of  "British Manufacture throughout", although the paint is French I believe.