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Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

MODELS

A1

A 1940s version of the pre-war Follows & Bate "Magic" sidewheel mower. Marketed under the "Folbate" name after that firm had been acquired by Qualcast.

ACE [Eclipse]

A 1930s sidewheel mower made by the Eclipse Lawnmower Co. Similar to the "Lady".

ACE [Ransomes]

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies this was a sidewheel mower made in the late 1930s. This was advertised as an "easy running machine for small lawns. cutting cylinder welded to ensure long service". It had ball bearings, of smaller size than in the more expensive Leo, and was really an updated version of the 'Cub', which had pain bearings. Made in three sizes it sold from 41/3d in 1939. The "Ace" was also available as a bank mower with a 75 inch pole handle.  In the 1950s, after the alloy-framed 'Lioness', as ferrous metal supplies became less restricted, the Ace re-appeared as Ace Mark 2, with tubular steel handles similar to those on the 'Ripper'.

ACME [American Die & Tool]

An early 20th century sidewheel mower with 11 inch drive wheels and roller bearings, made by the "American Die & Tool Co." of Reading, Pennsylvania, USA.

ACME [Blair]

A late 19th century product of the Blair Mfg. Co., Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, this was a sidewheel machine with land wheels at the rear of the cutters. The 24 inch model had four such wheels and the smaller models three.

ADMIRAL

A 1990s product of ATCO, this was a 16 inch rotary mower with electric start.

ADVANCE

A late-1940s American sidewheel mower made by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. This was available in 16 & 18 inch sizes and like other mowers from the same company had the Adams self-sharpening device.

AEROTRAC

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies similar to the "Overgreen" this was made for the professional market c1950 and consisted of a powered unit in front, using a Sturmey Archer engine, and a trailed unit by Sisis.

AIRBORNE

A product of ATCO (Suffolk), this was petrol-engined hover mower from the 1980s.

AIRMO

A product of Qualcast, this was a petrol-engined 16 and 19 inch hover mower designed for larger gardens in the 1980s.

AJAX [Lyman Wilder]

An odd American mower patented by W.C. Farnum in March 1871 and manufactured by Lyman Wilder of New York. This was a roller machine with a disc-like rear land roll acting upon a series of "propeller"-type blades moving in the vertical plane, quite unlike the conventional cutting cylinder. A "V"-handle was fitted. The cutting width appears to have been about 10 inches.

AJAX [Ransomes]

The Ransomes "Ajax" was a hand roller mower made from 1933 until the Mk V in 1972. Mks I and II were made prior to 1939, the rest being post-War.  Marks 1 and 2 had cast iron side-plates, and the roller on Mark 2 was ribbed.  After the war, a diecast alloy version was introduced, as with many other mowers at that time of limited ferrous metal supplies. The new Ajax was the only one of these to succeed and remained in production throughout the 1950s and 1960s.  Mark 3 still had the curved pressed-steel handles of the pre-war models until 1953, and was probably the last mower to have curved handles.  In 1953, they were replaced with X-shaped tubular handles.  Mark 4, a few years later, was similar, but the handles were now made in four separate pieces clamped together with a cast-iron centre boss -- this made transit easier, and also meant the handles could be adjusted for width.  Mark 5 (c. 1961) was similar, but had two narrow outer front roller sections so that the centre sections could be removed. All Ajaxes had simple gear drive, the post-war models having alloy gears which are prone to wear. In 1960, the Ajax was a 'Which?' Best Buy.

ALDGATE

Sidewheel machine dating  from about the time of  WW1 (example is seen in the Welsh Rural Life Museum at St. Fagan's). May originate from the north of England, perhaps York.Could be a catalogue mower.

ALL BRITISH

A sidewheel mower from the mid-1930s supplied by John Palmer Ltd., Portsmouth, (Victory Brand Garden Tools). Made in 10 and 12 inch sizes these retailed in 1934 at 28/6d and 30/- respectively. One "All British" mower in an Essex collection bears the name "Moweesi" on the handle but the editor does not discount the possibility that this may have been a replacement handle.

ALLEN SCYTHE

First produced in the mid-1930s the popular Allen Scythe remained in production until the 1970s. A reciprocating knife mower, the Allen Scythe can be found either with a 2-stroke or 4-stroke engine. Early examples are distinguishable by the in-line (rather than transverse) petrol tank. A scaled-down version with a JAP 2A engine was known as the "Baby Allen Scythe".

ALLEN SICKLE

A product of John Allen of Oxford, this was a 1960s professional rotary mower designed for rough grass areas. The 22 inch cut machine sold for £95 in 1964. A slightly smaller version of the "Champion".

ALLIANCE

A Shanks triple-pony gang mower with an 84 inch cut offered in 1923.

ALPINA

A self-propelled reciprocating knife mower in which the operator walks in front of the machine. One example in the UK is marked "Alpina Export" which would imply that this is a foreign machine. (Perhaps a reader can supply dates).

ALTACUT

A n American 1940s sidewheel mower made by the Eclipse Lawnmower Co., this was available in a 16 inch size only.

ALUMENA

A sidewheel mower, probably made the USA, being offered for sale in the UK by Johnson, Clapham and Morris Ltd., in 1908. The name implies that at least some of the parts were of aluminium construction.

AMATEUR'S

A product of Samuelson c1877, this was a gear-driven roller mower with a "T"-handle available in 8 and 10 inch sizes. A curved "baby's crib" type grass box was offered.

AMBASSADOR

A powered roller mower by Hayter introduced in 1967 this was the first pure cylinder mower made by that company and came in a variety of sizes and with a variety of engines, including B.S.A. and Briggs & Stratton. A fine turf version was introduced in 1970.

AMERICAN CHAMPION

An American sidewheel mower imported by Millard Bros. of Houndsditch c1901. This was advertised in 8 to 18 inch sizes with prices in 1902 ranging from 12/4d to 18/8d.

ANCOS

The name under which the Army & Navy stores retailed the Follows & Bate "Magic" all-steel sidewheel mower.

ANGLIA

The Ransomes 'Anglia was a compound geared hand roller mower introduced in the late 1920s and available in three sizes (10, 12, 14 in). It shared the frame and gears of the Certes, including the malleable iron handles inherited from the 'Automaton Minor'. It was advertised as giving "an extra clean close finish". In 1929 it sold from £6 which, by 1939 had risen to £7.2.6d.  Late models (Mark 5) retained these handles, but the side frames were now made of aluminium alloy, like the Certes.

ANGLO

A product of Follows & Bate offered in 1901 "with patent ball bearings", and available in 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 inch sizes by Thomas McKenzie & Sons, Liverpool. This probably refers to the "Anglo-American" (see below).

ANGLO-AMERICAN

A range of late 19th century mowers made by Follows & Bate. The smaller versions were sidewheel mowers available in sizes from 12 to 20 inches. The larger sizes were pony mowers available in 24 and 30 inch widths. The mower was being sold in 1871 in sizes from 12 to 30 inches at prices from £4.0.0d to £14.0.0d with prices for larger machines up to 48 inch width available on request.. By 1887 the 24 and 30 inch pony mowers retailed at £10.10.0d and £14.14.0d respectively. A special version made especially for ladies was called the "Croquet".

ANGLO-PARIS

An 1892 product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, this was a sidewheel mower of conventional design deriving from the export-only "Paris" and the home-marketed "New Paris" designs. By 1915 the original machine had been superseded by the No.2 version which was then being offered in 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 & 20 inch sizes at prices ranging from £1.10.0d to £4.5.0d (grass boxes extra). The 10 inch mowers and upwards were fitted with a 6-bladed cutting cylinder. Colour scheme on most was pale blue, with pastel green for the blades and inside of the grass box.  Like the New Paris, it could be converted to  a bank cutter with a long pole handle.

ANGUS

A late 19th century sidewheel mower marketed by Peter Small of Forfar, Scotland. This was a conventional "T"-handled mower available in 10, 12, 14 and 16 inch cutting widths.

ANTELOPE

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies this was a powered sidewheel mower which replaced the "Gazelle" in 1956 and continued in production until 1993.

ARCADIAN

An early 20th century sidewheel mower by John Crowley & Co. This was a conventional 'T'-handled machine advertised in 1913 as "a marvel of cheapness".

ARCHIMEDEAN

An American manual roller mower first introduced in 1870 by the American firm Hills of Hartford, Connecticut, USA, the Archimedean had a cutting cylinder working on the principle of the Archimedean screw. Early machines had skids rather than a front roller, but these were soon discarded. The "Archimedean" was sold by many ironmongers up and down the country, one of the UK Agents in 1884 being John G Rollins of London Bridge. They appear also to have been made under licence in Great Britain, with machines which included the "New Archimedean" (see Cottiss). See also "Junior Archimedean".

ARIEL [Lloyds]

A product of Lloyds, this was a powered sidewheel mower made in the 1950s for rough grass and banks. With a Villiers or a JAP engine, this mower was available with either a four or seven bladed cylinder.

ARIEL [Ransomes]

The Ransomes Ariel was one of the diecast alloy mowers introduced in the post-ww2 ferrous metal shortage.  It was a side-wheel mower, more expensive than the Lioness, and effectively replacing the pre-war Leo.

ARLINGTON

A 1940s American sidewheel mower made by the Eclipse Lawnmower Co., this was available in 16 & 18 inch sizes and, like other mowers from this company, was fitted with the Adams self-sharpening device. In September 1949 the two sizes were available at $17.95 and $18.95 respectively.

ARMY & NAVY MOWERS

Catalogue mowers marketed through the "Army & Navy Stores", an example of which is the "Special" (see below). There were also "Auxiliary" and "Victoria" mowers made by Follows & Bate for retail through the Auxiliary stores and the main store in Victoria Street.

ARMY & NAVY SPECIAL

A catalogue mower from the mid-1930s, this was a sidewheel machine offered in 10 or 12 inch cut which retailed in 1934 at 18/6d and 20/- respectively.

ASCOT

The Ascot was a short-lived 14-inch roller mower introduced by Ransomes about 1960.  It replaced the Astral, a domestic version of the Certes, and was essentially a 14-inch Ajax, but with seven rather than six knives and cast iron rather than alloy gears.  It also had a steel front roller on ball bearings, like a Certes, and was perhaps designed to use up redundant parts such as the cylinder and the 14-inch Certes roller, the Certes by then being made only in the 16-inch size.

ASHTON

An American-built catalogue mower c1930, one surviving example (an 8 inch sidewheel mower) has "The Ashton - East Sheen" cast into the wheels.

ASTOR

See Flexa.

ASTRAL

A high-grade 14-inch compound-geared hand mower by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies c1950, this was the post-war equivalent of the Anglia, and like the Anglia was a domestic version of the Certes. Early examples have Anglia type malleable iron handles, followed by pressed steel curved handles (similar to the Ajax), followed by X-frame tubular handles like the Certes..

ASTRONAUT

A product of Qualcast, this was a 14 inch version of the "Concorde" introduced in 1974. Not proving popular, it was discontinued in 1979.

ATCOSCYTHE

A series of reciprocating knife mowers made by ATCO from the 1930s. Originally a single wheel machine similar to the Lloyds "Autoscythe", the "Atcoscythe" had developed by 1955 into a two-wheel self-propelled machine with a variety of accessories including twin rotary disc cutters.

ATLAS [Hartley & Sugden]

An 1870s gear-driven mower by Hartley & Sugden of Halifax, this was available in a variety of sizes, the largest being pony and horse mowers. Very small sizes, in 6, 8, & 10 inches, were made for use by "ladies or boys".

ATLAS [Ransomes]

Very similar to the Ajax, the Atlas was Ransomes' answer to the Qualcast Panther, with chain drive in a pressed steel cover and cast iron side plates.  Unlike the Panther, it had a proper divided roller with free-wheel, and unlike the Ajax, with its modern all-steel grass box, it had a traditional wood-sided grass box, of larger capacity than the Ajax, presumably also to compete with the enlarged grass box of the Panther.  The Atlas was a very  popular mower, and it is surprising that it was not revived after the war.  Like the Ajax and the Panther, it was made in the 12-inch size only.

AUTO DRIVE

A product of Victa c1974, this was an Australian rotary mower fitted with a snorkel air filter and a "dead man's" handle to control the drive. A "magic eye" was fitted to indicate when the grass box was full.

AUTO SWIFT

A product of Suffolk Iron Foundries c1957.

AUTO-CERTES

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies designed for fine turf surfaces such as bowling greens. By the late 1950s the "Auto Certes" 18 inch model was selling for £81.10.0d and for the 1961/2 season the Mark 4 with its 10-blade cylinder and 98cc Villiers engine was selling for £95.0.3d (including Purchase Tax). By the 1970s and 80s the "Auto-Certes" was dominating the specialist-mower market.

Auto-Mower

Motor mowers made by the Auto-Mower Engineering Co, Ltd, of Norton St Philip, nr. Bath, from the late 1920s throughout the 1930s. In 1929, there were five sizes (12, 15, 18, 24 and 30 in.) .In 1934 the 12 inch had disappeared but a 36 inch had been added. 18-inch and above had four-stroke engines and two clutches.

AUTO-SICKLE

A post-1945 reciprocating-knife mower by Lloyds, the Auto Sickle was a self-propelled two wheel development of the pre-war "Autoscythe". Having a rectangular frame, this mower had two large wheels on either side of the centrally-mounted engine, the cutter-bar and the handles balancing each other fore and aft. In 1949 the "Auto-sickle" was being sold at £60.

AUTO-STEER

A product of ATCO c1975, this was a powered roller mower with a 4-stroke engine available in 24 and 30 inch sizes. A trailing seat was advertised as "faithfully following the mower even around right-angled flower beds".

AUTOMATON

A range of mowers by Ransomes of Ipswich. The gear-driven "Automaton" appeared in 1867 made by Ransomes, Sims & Head in the 1870s and was produced in a wide range of sizes. In 1885 Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies produced the gear-driven "New Automaton" which won silver medals at the 1885 Inventions Exhibition and at the Liverpool Exhibition the following year. These latter machines were available in sizes from 8 to 24 inches and prices in 1886 ranged from £2.5.0d to £10.10.0d. Shortly after this the "Chain Automaton" was offered alongside the gear-driven models. In 1894 the two mowers were redesignated "Patent Chain Automaton" and "Patent Gear Automaton" and as such continued to be made into the 20th century. Collectors should note that only early Ransomes, Sims & Head machines had exposed gearing, although many later machines have lost their gear covers.

AUTOMATON MINOR

A lighter and cheaper version of the "Patent Automatons" made by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies in the early 20th century. In 1915 this model was being offered in 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes at prices ranging from £2.0.0d to £5.15.0d. These are distinguished from the contemporary "Automatons" by the plainer name plate (very similar to that of the earlier New Automatons), thinner, malleable handlebars, smaller rollers and simple, rather than compound, gear drive, completely enclosed.  Chain drive was also made and was the more popular choice. Cutting cylinders were of conventional design, not double-helix like the Patent Automatons.

AUTOMO

A powered roller mower utilising J.P. components made by Mitchells of Nottingham in the 1920s. One known example in an Essex collection has a Brough 2-stroke engine and a tubular steel handle (which makes the "Automo" one of the first mowers with this latter feature). In April 1926 "The Motor" magazine advertised the 16 inch "Automo" at a price of 40 guineas.

AUTOMOWER

A product of "Lawn-Boy", this was a rotary machine introduced in the 1960s, available as either self-propelled or pushed, the 1963 price being £52 and £43.15.0d respectively. (See Evenrude).

AUTOSCYTHE

A reciprocating knife mower made by Lloyds of Letchworth from 1937, This was a single-wheel machine with the engine driving the blades only. Originally using the Villiers Mar-vil engine, later post-War machines had J.A.P. engines. The 1948 price was £35 for the steel-tyred version and £36.10.0d for the pneumatic. For a time in the late-1930s ATCO was manufacturing an identical machine under the "Atcoscythe" name.

AUXILIARY

A late 19th century roller mower made by Follows & Bate for the Army & Navy Auxiliary stores at the rear of Howick Place, London. This was essentially a "Chain Tennis" machine.

B (Model) [Binch]

A product of Wallis Binch, this was a 1930s sidewheel mower. In 1934 10 & 12 inch models were being offered at 24/-d and 26/-d respectively, grassboxes 5/-d extra.

B1

A product of Qualcast, this was a sidewheel mower with a tubular steel handle and solid rubber tyres introduced in 1949.

B18/B45

These were mulcher mowers from ATCO made in the 1980s, the "B45" replacing the "B18" in 1984. Both had an 18 inch rotor.

BABY ALLEN SCYTHE

See Allen Scythe.

BALMORAL

A late 19th century pony mower by Hartley & Sugden of Halifax available in 30 and 36 inch cutting widths. A larger version of the "Osborne".

BANK RIDER

The first ride-on mower from Hayter, the "Bank Rider" was designed for the professional and local authority market to deal with banks and sloping surfaces. It was introduced in 1974 and about 100 were made before this model was replaced by the "Frigate".

BAY STATE

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by the Blair Mfg. Co. of Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, available in 10, 12 & 14 inch sizes.

BAYLEY

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by the Rogers Iron Co. of Springfield, Ohio, a high-wheel version of the "Cruiser".

BB

A range of gear-driven roller mowers made by the London firm of J.B. Brown in the 1860s. These were available in sizes ranging from 10 to 42 inches (the larger sizes being for 2-man or horse operation) with prices in 1867 ranging from £3.10.0d for the very smallest machine to £28.10.0d for the largest. It is significant that in 1869 the machine was advertised as being "perfected" which might imply that the earlier machines were less than successful.

BEANCO

Sidewheel mowers sold by Baxendales, a large hardware and builder's merchant in Manchester (BEANCO = Baxendale & Co)

BEATRICE

A late 19th century sidewheel machine by Barford & Perkins.

BEAVER

A late 1950s motor scythe marketed by G.A. Holt Ltd. of Kingston-on-Thames, this machine had a rotary cutting head and pneumatic tyres. In 1959 this machine sold for £39.10.0d.

BEE

A product of the Brentwood (Essex) firm of W.J. & C.T. Burgess in the 1920s, the "Bee" was a powered roller mower with the engine attached directly to the cutting cylinder which acted as a flywheel. Available in widths of 16 and 22 inches, the "Bee" sold for £49.10.0d and £55 respectively in 1922.

BEL-MAR

An American 1950s powered sidewheel mower made by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. This was an 18 inch mower with a 2hp. Briggs & Stratton engine.

BELLEVUE

A late 19th century ball-bearing sidewheel mower marketed by the Supplee Hardware Co. of Philadelphia, USA, this was available in 12, 14, 16 & 18 inch sizes. NOTE: In 1889 Supplee were sales agents for J. Braun.

BELMONT

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by the Supplee Hardware Co. of Philadelphia, USA.

BENTS CUTTER

An early 20th century bents cutter, made by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies. This was a similar to a very large side-wheel machine with a large diameter cutting cylinder and scythe-like blades for dealing with rushes and long coarse grasses (known as "bents"). Described as 'new' in 1906 this was being offered in one cutting width (24 inches) at £3.0.0.  By 1924, and improved version with a front runner for height adjustment was available alongside the orginal model.

BEST

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by Dille & Anderson of Richmond, Indiana, USA. Available in five sizes. NOTE: "Best" was also a name used by American retailers such as Sears, Roebuck & Co.

BHAT

I am informed by a Club member that a British (?) sidewheel mower has these initials cast into the wheels. This has subsequently been identified as a catalogue mower by Follows & Bate.

BLACKFRIARS

A 'catalogue' sidewheel mower,  some based on the Coldwell Gem, dating from early 1900s.

BOADICEA

A product of H.R. Nash, this was a 14 inch rotary long grass cutter with a 34cc engine, c1963.

BOSTON

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by the Blair Mfg. Co. of Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.

BOWLIC

A product of Ransomes, this was an electric powered mower intended for fine turf cutting, but did not achieve much popularity (1940s/50s).

BRITANNIA

A product of Shanks, late 19th century, this was a pretty sidewheel machine available in 6 to 16 inch sizes with prices in 1892 ranging from 27/6d to 65/-d (grass box extra). The grass box had the side panels painted with a floral design.

BRITISH BINCH

See Binch (Wallis).

BRITISHER

An early 20th century product of Shanks which continued in production until 1939, this was a conventional sidewheel mower first introduced around 1900. By 1939 it was being offered in 10, 12, 14, & 16 inch sizes at prices ranging from £2.6.6d to £2.18.6d (grass box, delivery plate, and an extra long handle as optional extras). The colour scheme was cherry red and light blue, in varying combinations. Most examples seen have four blades, though later models had five. Superseded by the "New Britisher".

BROTT

The name given to a motorised ride-on flail mower and general purpose garden tractor designed in the 1970s for large grassed areas. Made by Edward Thomas & Co. of Oswestry.

BUCKEYE

One of the many American sidewheel mowers first introduced into the UK in the 1870s and 1880s. The manufacturers could be either Mast, Foos & Co. or the Foos Mfg. Co. The "Buckeye Junior" was made in 10, 12, & 14 inch sizes and the "Buckeye Senior" in 10, 12, 14, 16 & 18 inch sizes. The London agents were Frederick Orme & Co., Holborn Viaduct.

BUFFALO

A 1950s product of Shanks, this was a manual roller mower designed primarily for the overseas market. It was of 24 inch width and had a 7-bladed cutting cylinder. A draw rope with a handle was supplied with the machine, making it one of the last mowers to be so fitted.

BULLDOG

A product of the Ideal Power Lawnmower Co., this was a gang mower for golf fairways in production in 1931.

BUSHWAKKA

A motor scythe and scrub cutter with a rotary cutting disc marketed in the 1950/60s by Farmfitters Ltd. of Gerards Cross. This had spoked wheels and a one-piece cutter made of tempered steel. Originally a 'T' handle was fitted but this was later replaced by a two-part tubular steel handle. Similarly the original Vincent engines gave way to more modern power plants. In 1963 the 18 inch machine sold for £52.10.0d

CADET [Allen]

A product of Allen of Oxford, this was a 1960s domestic rotary mower available with either a 120cc or 150cc engine.

CADET [Greens]

One of the many mowers made of light diecast alloy in the early post-WW2 years, the  Greens 'Cadet' was a basic sidewheel mower.  The contemporary 'Tutor' was a more expensive version. H

Handles on both were of tubular steel, initially of 'pram' type, but later modified with rear-facing grips. 

CALEDONIA [Shanks]

The Shanks Caledonia was an exceptional mower introduced in 1895, with a lightweight malleable iron frame and handles and choice of chain or gear drive.  The chain version used roller chains, probably the first mower to do so. It was made in sizes 10-16in, with an 8-inch model also available  for some years in the Edwardian era. Shanks's 'Small' mower, made in 6, 7 and 8 inch sizes, was very similar to he Caledonia, but did not survive the Great War.  The Caledonia was still listed in 1936.

CALEDONIAN

A gear-driven roller mower marketed by A. Ballach & Sons of Leith in the late 19th century.

CANADIAN CLIPPER

Motorised sidewheel mower introduced in 1948 by the Eureka Planter Company.

CAPITOL [Grantite State]

A lawn trimmer and edger with a 6 inch cutting cylinder, originally made by the Secrest Mfg. Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, USA, c1900, and later by the Granite State Mowing Machine Co. who appear to have bought out Secrest around 1908. The machine was asymmetrical, with one drive wheel only (on the right-hand side).

CAPITOL [Sweden]

An early 20th century Swedish sidewheel machine with a wooden "T"-handle and trailing wooden roller. One example in an Essex collection has an 8 inch cut; the original colour scheme being dark green and orange. Although this machine was manufactured in Sweden its similarity to the "Capitol" trimmer and edger referred to below makes it likely that it was a product of the same company but made in Sweden to avoid unfavourable import duties.

CATALOGUE MOWERS

See Glossary

CAVALIER

A self-propelled domestic rotary mower by Allen of Oxford, c1965, employing a 147cc Briggs & Stratton engine.

CELERITY

A Sheffield made sidewheel mower c.1932. This mower was offered by the cigarette firm Godfrey Phillips for 395 coupons (grassbox 100 coupons extra). It is possible that the manufacturers were Qualcast, although this is to be confirmed.

CENTAUR

A product of Suffolk, this was rotary mower which replaced the "Polo" in 1959 and which was made until 1963 when it was itself replaced by the "Galaxy". In the 1961/2 season the "Centaur" with its 18 inch cut and Clinton 3 hp. 4-stroke engine sold for £29.8.0d. This was identical in all respects to the Qualcast "Rotacut" Mk. IV.

CENTENARY [Greens]

Greens celebrated their centenary in 1935 by introducing a cheap roller mower called the Centenary, priced at £3-3-0d and clearly aimed at the Qualcast Panther. Like the Ransomes Atlas, it was superior tot he Panther in having a divided roller with free wheel, but it survived only until 1937, and was replaced by the Popular II in 1938.  Like both its rivals, it was made in the 12 inch size only.

CENTENARY [Ransomes]

A range of manual roller mowers with plated parts made by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies introduced in 1932 to celebrate the firm's 100 years of mower production.

CENTURY [Eclipes]

An American sidewheel mower similar to the "Lady" made by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co., c. 1937.

CENTURY [Reading Hardware]

An American sidewheel mower, c1906, made by the Reading Hardware Co. of Reading, Pennsylvania, USA.

CERTES

A range of Ransomes roller mowers produced over a long period designed for fine turf surfaces such as golf courses and tennis courts. The Mk.1 Certes was a manual roller mower introduced around 1930. By contrast the "Super Certes" of the 1990s was a powered machine fitted with a Kubota 130 engine.

CHAIN AUTOMATON

See "Automaton".

CHAIN TENNIS

See "Tennis" (Follows & Bate).

CHALLENGE

A product of F. Slaymaker & Co. Ltd. London, N.7 c1950.

CHALLENGER

A range of rotary rough-grass mowers by Allen of Oxford in the 1960s/70s, designed for the professional market.

CHAMPION [Allen]

A product of John Allen, this was a range of rotary motor scythes introduced in 1962. A top-of-the-range machine, this had three forward speeds and reverse. By 1964 the 24 inch model sold for £140. A larger version of the Allen "Sickle".

CHAMPION [Gamages]

A range of mowers retailed by the Holborn (London) firm of Gamages. These were made by a variety of manufacturers, some machines being identical to those marketed by Millard Bros. and probably made by the F & N Lawn Mower Co of Richmond, Indiana, U.S.A. (eg Gamages "Improved Champion" of 1911 was identical to the Millard "Milbro"). Later, between the World Wars, Gamages "Champions" and "Improved Champions" were made by the Derwent Iron Foundry (Qualcast) and the Suffolk Iron Foundry.

CHARLES

An early 20th century sidewheel mower made by the Philadelphia Lawn Mower Co. Available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes prices in 1910 ranged from £1.13.0d to £2.14.0d. - grass box extra.

CHARTER OAK

An American gear-driven mower made by Hills, c1890 with "Archimedean"- type blades. Instead of a rear roller this mower had two inside-frame rear-mounted driving rolls (making it a hybrid machine halfway between a roller and a sidewheel mower) . It was advertised in 10, 13, 15 & 18 inch widths.

CHENEY

A manual reciprocating-knife mower invented by C.W. Cheney of Athol, Massachusetts, USA and manufactured by Mather and Todd c1877. This was a "T"-handled machine with iron wheels, the knives being driven by a double crank motion as the machine was pushed along. To describe this as a Victorian "Allen Scythe" (which it somewhat resembled) would not be wide of the mark.

CHEVRON [Flymo]

A product of Flymo, this was a range of wheeled mains electric rotary mowers introduced in 1986. Petrol-engined versions were available from 1987.

CHEVRON [Victa]

A product of Victa, this was an 18 inch rotary mower imported into the UK in the mid-1970s.

CHICAGO

A late 19th century American mower imported by Lloyd Lawrence & Co (later Lloyd's of Letchworth), this was available in sizes from 10 to 16 inches. Advertising stated that "the cylinder can be removed without taking the frame apart, which is a point never before accomplished".

CHIEF

A large sidewheel mower with horse attachment, made by the Champion Mfg. Co. of Richmond, Indiana, USA.

CINDERELLA

A product of Picksley, Sims & Co. of Manchester. This was a late 19th century sidewheel machine made in sizes from 10 to 16 inches. A conventional "T"-handled mower.

CITY

A small sidewheel mower, c1899, made by the Philadelphia Lawn Mower Co., this had large curved steel blades, which were a feature of many of this company's mowers. It was offered in 10, 12, & 14 inch sizes.

CLEARWAY

A 1970s product of Wolseley, this was heavy-duty rotary motor scythe with hydraulic transmission and large pneumatic wheels. It had a 4-stroke engine with recoil start.

CLEVELAND

An American sidewheel mower, c1900, imported by Frederick Stout & Co. of Cleveland Square, Liverpool. Available in 10, 12 & 14 inch sizes with prices ranging from 15/-d to 17/-d.

CLIMAX

The first machine made by Follows & Bate of Manchester, the 1869 "Climax" was the world's first sidewheel mower, dispensing with the heavy land roller; a design which was to prove popular with small lawn owners until the introduction of small electric machines such as the Flymo in the 1950s & 1960s. With its trailing grass box the "Climax" was available in 6, 7, 8 & 10 inch sizes and prices in 1870 ranged from 25/-d to 63/-d. The original patent was No. 964 dated 3 March 1869. Various models of "Climax" continued to be made until the 1930s when the mower was virtually identical to the company's "Magic". One of these late-model "Climax" bears the patent number 379482.
 

CLIPPER [Chadborn & Coldwell]

A product of Chadborn & Coldwell, this was an American-made sidewheel mower of conventional design, c1885. Superseded by the "New Clipper" from the same company.

CLIPPER [Clipper Lawn Mower]

A late 19th century 12 inch cut sidewheel reciprocating mower made in the USA. The knives worked off an eccentric running between the two wheels to give a very fine cut. One example is in the agricultural museum at Cayuga, New York State. This was made by the Clipper Lawn Mower Co. of Norristown, Pennsylvania (1895-1904) and Dixon, Illinois (1904-1940s).

CLIPPER [Emery]

A product of A.J. Emery of Halesowen (Birmingham), made immediately before and after World War 2. This was a powered roller mower not unlike contemporary ATCO machines and was marketed in two widths, 14 & 17 inch. In both cases a JAP 2A engine was used. A V-shaped cutting cylinder was fitted, and in addition to the hand clutch to the land roller a foot clutch operated the blades.

CLIPPER [Greens]

A product of Greens in the late 1930s, this was a conventional manual sidewheel mower with a wooden T-handle which sold for 25/-d in 1939.

CLIPPER [SUFFOLK]

The Suffolk Clipper Model Ten and Super Clipper Model Fifty were offered alongside the Viceroy in the early 1950s. Both had ball bearings and thick rubber overtyres, and were described as suitable for coarse grass.  They were painted in blue and red (just like a Qualcast).  The Super had chromium-plate tie-bar and hubcaps, as well as a rubber roller in place of the usual wood and a tubular steel handle very similar to the contemporary Qualcasts..  In 1953, the Clipper came in 12-in, 14-in and 16-in sizes, and the Super Clipper in 14, 16 and 18-in.

CLOSECUT

An early 20th century American sidewheel mower by Coldwell imported into the UK c1905 and retailed by J.C. Plimpton & Co. of Liverpool. An example is to be seen in the Milton Keynes Museum. A sidewheel mower of this name was made by the (US ?) firm of Haycraft but it is not known if the Milton Keynes example originated with this company.

CLUB

A product of ATCO, this was a powered fine turf mower with a 10-blade cutting cylinder, first introduced in 1983.

CLYDE

Australian home-produced sidewheel mower (1940s) with pressed steel wheels.

CODEG

A child's toy mower possibly from the 1950s. A green-painted toy grassbox measuring approximately 5.25" x 2.5" x 3" is in the ownership of a Club member. No other details available.

COEUR (The)

("The Heart") An American-made 4-blade sidewheel mower made in 10, 12, and 14-inch sizes marketed by the Quincaillerie LaFosse, Brussels c1930.

COLONIAL

An American-built sidewheel mower made in the 1920s.

COLT

A product of Suffolk, this was a powered roller mower introduced in 1960 as a replacement for the "Pony", and supplemented by the "Super Colt" in 1968. These had four-stroke engines.

COLUMBIA

An American sidewheel mower, c1895, made by F.S. Anderson of Richmond, Indiana, USA.

COMET

Introduced by Shanks in 1936,  this was the company's entry to the fiercely competed 12-inch cheap roller mower market led by the Qualcast Panther.  It was priced at £3-3-0d, but this had increased to £3-7-6d by 1939.  After WW2, the Comet was revived as the 'Silver Comet', with alloy sides, but unlike the Ransomes Ajax, this was not a success.

COMMANDO

A product of Qualcast, this was a powered sidewheel mower for long grass introduced in 1953.

COMMODORE [Atco]

A product of ATCO introduced in 1983 as a replacement for the "De Luxe" series, this was a powered roller mower with a 114cc aluminium engine. It was made in 14, 17, and 20 inch sizes.

COMMODORE [Qualcast]

A motor mower made by Qualcast in the 1960s, competing with the Suffolk Punch (by then Suffolk and Qualcast were part of the same company).  The Commodore had a Suffolk engine, but a conventional clutch and a handle-mounted lever to disengage the drive to the rear roller, making it more controllable than the Punch.

COMPETITOR

A sidewheel machine marketed in western Europe c1920 in 19, 12, 14, & 16-inch sizes, probably an American import.

CONCORDE

A product of Qualcast, this was a mains electric roller mower introduced in 1971 and which, in its various forms, proved very popular. Buyers had the option of either a front or rear grass box depending on the model bought. Still in production in the 1990s.

CONDOR

A product of Hayter, this was a professional roller mower with a 30 inch cutting width introduced in the late 1960s for parks and sports grounds The cutting cylinder was interchangeable with a rotary unit. It was replaced by the "Senator" in 1980.

CONQUEST

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, c1959, this was a manual sidewheel machine with inside-frame wheels, enclosed in a streamlined fairing giving it a very modern appearance. The grass box was of the trailed canvas type. The "Conquest" remained in production until 1975.

COOPER

An early 20th century sidewheel machine supplied in 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 inch sizes for 10/6d, 12/6d, 13/-, 14/-, and 15/6d respectively. The suppliers were William Cooper Ltd., 761 Old Kent Road, London SE.

COOPER PUTTING GREEN MOWER

See Cooper Mfg. Co. above.

CORONA

A sidewheel catalogue mower. No other details available.

CORONET

A product of Ransomes this was a manual sidewheel mower c1927 available in 12, 15, 17 & 19 inch sizes from £8.0.0d to £11.10.0d, grass box and delivery plate extra.

CORPORATION

A late 1950s product of Suffolk, this was a powered sidewheel mower designed for rough-grass areas originally designated the "Squire Corporation". By 1963 this mower, under its new shortened title, was selling for £29.18.6d (19 inch) making it cheaper than the "Antelope" and the "Sidewheeler".

CORVETTE

A toy rotary mower in a member's collection bears the name Victa Corvette. It is not known if this was a product of the Victa company or an independent maker.

COTTAGE

A small gear-driven roller mower made by Barnard, Bishop & Barnard in 1870. Available in 6, 8, & 10 inch sizes prices were £1.5.0d, £1.15.0d, and £2.5.0d. Advertised as "suitable for the very smallest gardens".

COUNCILLOR

A mid-1950s product of Barford (Agricultural) Ltd., this was a reciprocating power scythe with a four-stroke Villiers engine. Similar to the Allen Scythe it can be distinguished from it by the vanes cast into the wheel hubs. In 1956 the "Councillor" sold at £89.10.0d.

COUNTESS ELECTRA

A mains electric roller mower by Ransomes (see also "Electra") the "Countess Electra" was manufactured under British patent 268504 and Australian patent 2045/26, making it, in 1926, one of the world's first mains electric mowers.

COUNTRYMAN

A product of Shay, this was a 1960s self-propelled rotary mower powered by a 120cc engine. In 1960 18 and 20 inch models were being offered at the price of £39.10.0d and £58.0.0d respectively.

COUNTY [Rotoscythe]

A product of Rotoscythe (Power Specialities Ltd.) ca, 1950, the "County" was an 18 inch rotary mower with four large diameter wheels which made it very suitable for rough ground. No grass box was provided.

COUNTY [Shay]

A product of Shay, this was a development of the Rotoscythe machine after that firm had been taken over in 1952. Still retaining the 18 inch cut, the Shay product was of a more modern rectangular design with smaller wheels.

COVENTRY

A product of Nettlefold & Sons, c1879, this was a gear-driven roller mower with an "Archimedean"-type cutting cylinder advertised in 8, 10, 13, 15 & 18 inch widths with prices in 1887 ranging from 2 to 6 guineas. Early machines had beautifully scrolled gear covers and handles.

CRESTLAWN

A product of US makers F & N.  Advertised as having "every bearing a ball bearing", the Crestlawn, which was a conventional sidewheel machine of the period, was shown as a "watermark" on the firm's stationery (April 1916).

CROQUET

A product of Follows & Bate, c1878 to c1902, this was a sidewheel mower of the type pioneered by this Manchester firm. It was available in both 8 inch and 10 inch cutting widths and in 1881 these sold at 55/-d and 70/-d respectively. Basically the "Croquet" was a smaller version of the company's "Anglo-American" mower.

CRUISER

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by the Rogers Iron Co. of Springfield, Ohio, USA. A similar mower to the "Bayley".

CUB

Made by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, the Cub was a basic hand sidewheel mower of the 1930s; most are of the 'high wheel' type and labelled as such on the wood handle, but early models have conventional 'low' wheels. A bank-cutter handle was available.

CURTIS STAR

See Curtis Cultivator Co.

CUTWELL

A range of sidewheel mowers made by the German firm of Brill, 1920s/30s.

CYCLO

See Cylinder Components Ltd.

CYCLO-VAC

A 21 inch rotary mower produced by the Cooper Mfg. Co., USA and available in the UK from 1964, the British agents being B.A. Rolfed & Sons Ltd., Ramsey, Hampshire.

CYCLONE

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies this was an 18 inch rotary mower with a hummock disc to protect the blades. Introduced in the late 1950s, the "Cyclone" was replaced by the "Typhoon" in 1961.

DAISY [Hills]

A product of the American firm Hills, this was a sidewheel mower c1889 with "Archimedean"-type blades. Two iron guide wheels were set in front of the cutting cylinder.

DAISY [USA]

An American sidewheel mower available in 10, 12, 14, & 16 inch sizes. Prices in 1904 ranged from 15/-d to £1.3.6d when sold by Newbury ironmonger Robert Long. A similar mower to the "Philadelphia" but with 7 inch drive wheels.

DANDY

A sidewheel mower patented in November 1897 by the Stevens Manufacturing Co. of Canada. This was a machine driven by two large spoked drive wheels with four small iron wheels, one at each corner, in place of the usual wooden roller.

DAVENTRY

A surviving mower name badge bears the name "Daventry", together with the picture of an old-fashioned radio speaker (Daventry being one of the very early radio stations in the UK).

DE LUXE [Atco, 1930s]

A lightweight powered machine made by ATCO in the early to mid 1930s, these mowers are readily identified by the combined petrol tank and tool box of triangular cross-section mounted between the handles. The "De Luxe" was ATCO's first steel mower.

DE LUXE [Atco, 1960s]

A product of ATCO, this was a series of powered roller mowers introduced in 1969 and consisting of the B12, B14, B17 and B20 (the numerals indicating the cutting width). Except for the B12, which soldiered on until 1990, these were replaced by the "Commodore" in 1983. Normally petrol-engined, they were also marketed with battery electric motors.

DE LUXE [Webb]

The top-of-the-range model by H.C. Webb Ltd. in the 1930s.   It was  a compound-geared machine developed from the original (chain driven) Webb mower of 1929. In the 1950s, the Two-Speed De Luxe had a lever on the gearbox which allowed the ration to be changed, a unique feature in hand mowers.  There was even a Neutral position so that the mower could be pushed on non-turfed surfaces without risk of damaging the blades.

DEFIANCE

A manual roller mower by Greens, the "Defiance" sold at £2.15.0d in 1939.

DEWEY

An American sidewheel mower made by the Philadelphia Lawn Mower Co. This had a four-bladed cutting cylinder and was available in 10, 12, 14, & 16 inch sizes.

DIAMOND [Dille & McGuire]

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by Dille & McGuire of Richmond, Indiana, USA. Advertised as "the only enclosed cutter mower having a steel shaft". Available in 10 to 18 inch sizes in 1895.

DIAMOND [Whitman & Barnes]

The London office of Whitman & Barnes were advertising an American sidewheel mower bearing this name as well as their own in 1902. Although the parent company from Chicago seem to have made mowers in their own right, this may have been the Dille & McGuire machine referred to above, as the two mowers were very similar.

DICKSON

A catalogue mower, c1910, made by Shanks for the Belfast/Dublin firm of nurserymen, Alex Dickson & Sons. This was a sidewheel mower available in 10, 12, 14, & 16 inch sizes, bearing a plate on the handle which read "Dicksons Seedsmen, Belfast & Dublin". Prices ranged from £1.6.6d to £1.18.0d.

DIPLOMAT

The last mower to be made under the Webb name, this was a machine made 1990/91.

DONKEY

Several firms produced mowers for donkey haulage. One example was the range of 20, 22 & 14 inch mowers made by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies described in that firm's 1915 catalogue as the "Donkey" mower. Prices then ranged from £13.0.0d to £16.0.0d.

DRAGON

A product of Shanks (1930s/50s), the "Dragon" was a large powered roller mower comparable with the Dennis 'Z' and weighing up to 9 cwt. In 1939 it was available in 30 and 36 inch sizes, utilising a J.A.P. 4-stroke engine, and selling at £98.0.0d and £115.0.0d respectively. The "Dragon" was still being offered in the 1950s. In some models a Douglas engine was used.

DRAGONFLY

A product of Shanks (1930s/50s), this was a powered roller mower halfway between the smaller "Firefly" and the larger "Dragon". In 1939 the "Dragonfly" was being offered in 20 and 24 inch sizes at £70.0.0d and £80.0.0d respectively. A J.A.P. 4-stroke engine was fitted. By 1950 only the 24 inch model was being offered. A trailing seat was an optional extra.

DRAKE

A bowling green mower by Shanks (1930s/50s), this was a manual roller machine with a 10-bladed cutting cylinder. In 1939 the "Drake" was being offered in 16 and 18 inch sizes at £15.15.0d and £16.10.0d respectively. By 1950 only the 18 inch version was being offered. This was a slightly altered design, the side handles to the grass box having disappeared, and the main handles being braced by 'X' struts.

DREADNOUGHT

Triple and quintuple gang mowers manufactured by F.Mitchell Ltd. of Nottingham (c.1936), available in 24 and 30 inch sizes.

DUPLEX

A late 19th century combined mower and trimmer made by Dille & Anderson of Richmond, Indiana, USA. This was an asymmetrical machine with the driving wheel on the left and a small "idle" wheel on the right. In a tight corner the handle could be turned through 90 degrees so that it was in front of the cutting cylinder, thus allowing trimming up to edges. The "Duplex" was available in 7, 9 & 11 inch cutting widths.

DUX

A product of Husqvarna, this was a Swedish manual sidewheel machine made from the 1930s. By 1968 the "Dux Major" sidewheel mower with tubular steel handles was available in 12 and 14 inch sizes at £6.15.0d and £7.0.0d respectively (grass box extra). The "Dux Minor" was a smaller version.

DXE

A product of Flymo, this mains electric rotary was the first hover mower to be fitted with a grass box, c1978.

E (Model)

A range of popular sidewheel mowers by Qualcast from the late 1920s and available in 8, 10, 12 and 14 inch sizes.

E-PLEX

A Ransomes, Cushman & Ryan battery-powered gang mower from the 1990s made specifically for golf courses.

E1

A product of Qualcast, the "E1" was a sidewheel mower first produced in the late 1930s and which, with a tubular steel handle, continued in production until the late 1950s.

EAGLE [Hayter]

A product of Hayter, this was a 53 inch rotary mower designed for the professional and local authority market as a larger version of the "Frigate", remaining in production until 1983.

EAGLE [Philadelphia]

A 30, 35, 40 & 42 inch pony mower made by the Philadelphia Lawn Mower Co. c1910.

EAGLE [Shanks]

A product of Shanks, the "Eagle" was a manual roller mower made in the 1930s. By 1939 the "Eagle" was being offered in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes at prices ranging from £7.2.6d to £9.12.6d.

EASIMOW

An open-frame ride-on mower designed by E.F. Ranger (Ferring) Ltd. c1953 and later manufactured by the British Anzani Eng. Co. of Maidstone. The colour was blue and 16 & 24 inch models were available. Developed into the "Lawnrider" c1958. Later 14 inch machines by British Anzani, but bearing no resemblance to the original Ranger machine, also bore the name "Easimow".

EASY

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower made by the Blair Mfg. Co. of Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. The mower appears to have had scythe-like steel blades as on the British "Flexa" and to some models a "T"-handle was fitted with the cross-piece of the "T" held above the main shaft by a "U-shaped iron bracket. The "Easy" was available in sizes from 10 to 40 inches. One of the larger machines was exhibited at the Stourbridge Show in 1881 and gave rise to the following comment - "A very flimsily constructed machine which will never come into general use". In 1888 an improved model the "New Easy" was being advertised. One agent handling these machines was Holt & Willetts of Brierley Hill. Later this was superseded by the "Newer Easy". First made in 1879 "Easy" mowers were still being listed in US catalogues after World War 2.

EASY CUT

A sidewheel mower marketed by Thomas Gunn Ltd. in the late-1920s. As this mower resembled other imports such as the "Capitol" it was probably of European or American manufacture. In 1929 two versions were offered, the 10 inch at 21/6d and the 12 inch at 22/6d.

EASY RUN

An American sidewheel mower imported by John Shaw & Sons Ltd. of Wolverhampton c1905.

ECLIPSE [Boulton & Paul]

A range of gear-driven roller mowers by Boulton & Paul of Norwich in the 1870s. By 1874 three models were available (i) 6, 7, 8, & 9 inch, (ii) 12, 14 & 16 inch, and (iii) 18, 21 & 24 inch; the last two sizes having a draw-rope for manual haulage. Prices then ranged from £1.5.0d for the very smallest to £8.10.0d for the largest. They were ahead of he game in using straight, rather than S-shaped handlebars, many years before Greens adopted that style.

ECLIPSE [Small]

A mower retailed by Small of Forfar, Scotland. This was a gear-driven roller mower of conventional design for the period (1885) available in 10 to 22 inch cutting widths. Prices ranged from £3.0.0d to £7.10.0d (grass box extra).

EDEN [Foreign]

An Essex collection has a 12 inch sidewheel mower (1920s/30s) marked "Foreign" on one wheel and "Eden" on the other. Manufacturer unknown.

EDEN [Suffolk]

A product of Suffolk Iron Foundries c1938, this was a manual roller mower of advanced design and would have sold in greater numbers had not World War 2 intervened.

EDGBASTON

An American sidewheel catalogue mower marketed by Fletcher, Sons & Udall of Edgbaston Street, Birmingham, c1906.

EDGE CUTTER

Many firms produced edge cutters to replace shears for trimming lawn edges. Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies patented such a machine in the 1880s. This utilised a ribbed land roll which drove, on its right-hand side, a four-bladed cutter moving in the vertical plane. This machine won a silver medal at the Inventions Exhibition of 1885. At that time the edge cutter sold for 35/-d. An up-dated version of this with a five-bladed cutter and smooth roller was still being offered in the firm's 1915 catalogue. This later model was also made by Lloyds of Letchworth, presumably under licence from Ransomes.

EDWARD

An early 20th century high-wheel sidewheel mower made by the Philadelphia Lawn Mower Co. Available in 15, 17, 19, & 21 inch sizes, prices in 1910 ranged from £5.5.0d to £7.10.0d (grass box extra).

ELECTRA

Claimed to be the world's first mains electric roller mower, the "Electra" was a product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies in 1926. The 14 inch machine with its 1hp. electric motor cost £27.10.0d in 1935. In many respects the "Electra" resembled Ransomes' more conventional machines but with the addition of the motor unit. A 20 inch "Electra" model was advertised after World War 2 for use on bowling greens. See also "Countess Electra".

ELF

A product of Shanks in the late 1920s/early 1930s, this was a roller mower powered by a Villiers two-stroke engine.

ELITE

A product of ATCO (Suffolk), this was a manual sidewheel mower made in both 14 and 16 inch sizes, c1980.

EMBLEM

A rotary mower by Mountfield from the 1980s. Also made with a 240 volt electric motor.

EMPEROR

A rotary mower by Mountfield from the 1980s.

EMPIRE MAJOR

See "Empire" [Ransomes].

EMPIRE [Millard]

An early 20th century American mower imported into Gt Britain by Millard Bros. In 1904 this was available in 8 to 16 inch sizes at prices ranging from 13/6d to 19/11d.

EMPIRE [Ransomes]

A product of Ransomes, this was a sidewheel mower introduced in 1903 and available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes. The "Empire Major" introduced at the same time was a high-wheel machine for golf links etc. Prices for the two machines ranged, in February 1903, from £3.0.0d to £7.10.0d (grass boxes extra). See also "New Empire".

EMPRESS [Braby]

A sidewheel mower similar to the "Woodyatt" offered for sale by F. Braby & Co. Ltd., importers of several American and Canadian mowers in the early 1900s. With its open spoked wheels and trailed roll, this does not appear to be the machine referred to above.

EMPRESS [Carr & Hobson]

A sidewheel mower advertised as "the new and improved American lawn mower for 1887". This was unusual for a sidewheel machine of that date inasmuch as it had a metal "X" handle and no front or rear rollers nor guide wheels appear to have been fitted. Available in 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes retail prices for 1887 ranged from 42/6d to 50/-d. There was no grass box offered. In that year agents in Great Britain were being sought; the Dublin agents being Thomas McKenzie & Sons, well-known importers of American mowers. Manufacturers may have been Carr & Hobson.

EMPRESS [Mountfield]

A rotary mower by Mountfield from the 1980s.

EMU

Produced by Alexander Shanks and Son Ltd. c. 1950, this was a 12" roller driven hand mower similar to the Silver Comet. Intended to boost the Company's ailing lawnmower division, production lasted less than two years. Together with the Hawk 2 sidewheel mower, the Emu was the last hand mower Shanks manufactured.

ENSIGN

A product of ATCO introduced in 1995, this was a powered roller mower for medium size lawns.

ENTERPRISE

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by the Enterprise Mfg. Co. of Philadelphia, USA. In 1890 these were available in 9, 11, 13, & 15 inch sizes at 45/-d, 55/-d, 65/-d, and 75/-d respectively. Grass boxes were available at 5/-d for the 9 and 11 inch models and 7/6 for the 13 and 15 inch models. Smaller machines with 9 and 10 inch cut were also offered.

ETON [Rotoscyhte]

A 15 inch rotary mower made by Power Specialities Ltd. (Rotoscythe) introduced in 1937. Not to be confused with the later "Eton" made by J.E. Shay, although the two machines are "related".

ETON [Shay]

A product of J.E. Shay (Rotoscythe), this was a 14 inch version of that firm's "Windsor" c1955.

EVEN-CUT

See "Evencut"

EVENCUT

A sidewheel mower manufactured by Taylor-Forbes. The mower was available in 14" cut with four blades on the cylinder. The model was available at least as early as 1939 (priced at $5.75 in a catalogue) and as late as 1949 (priced at $14.95 in a catalogue). The 1939 catalogue refers to the mower as the "Even-Cut".

EXCELSIOR [Chadborn & Coldwell]

Late 19th and early 20th century gear-driven mowers made by the American firm Chadborn & Coldwell who also made the "New Excelsior" machines which had an enclosed gear train. In 1886 a wide range of these American machines were being offered for sale in Gt. Britain. These included 6 inch to 20 inch machines at prices varying between £1.10.0d and £7.10.0d. By 1910 the 14 inch roller mower was retailing at £4.10.0d. Pony mowers were also made. On some imported "Excelsior" mowers the words "London Excelsior" appear on the grass box.

EXCELSIOR [Excelsior Motor Cycles]

A product of Excelsior Motor Cycles, this was a powered roller mower from the 1940s which had a twin-port two-stroke engine. Very few of these machines are known to now exist.

EXPRESS (C.S.S.A.)

These were  Follows & Bate mowers sold by the Civil Service Supply Association c1905 - 14. The 'Chain Express' was the F & B Chain Tennis, the 'Express' the Speedwell and the 'Express Special' the Runaway.  There were also Express pony and horse machines, again based on the Follows & Bate equivalents.  By 1928, only the 'Express' (Speedwell) was still listed.

EXTRACUT

Trailed gang mower produced by Dennis, comprising three or five 24 inch units with cutting width of 68 and 108 inches respectively. Appears to have been replaced by the "Guildford Minor" gang mowers in the early 1960s.

F & N

A range of late 19th century sidewheel mowers made by the American F & N Lawn Mower Co. This included a high-grass machine. The name "Fenden" was also used as the firm's cable address.

F1

A rubber tyred manual sidewheel mower produced under the Folbate name by Qualcast post-1945.

FAIRWAY

A 1920s/50s variant of the "Pennsylvania" sidewheel mower by Lloyds, the "Fairway" was a rough and long grass machine advertised as being particularly suitable for golf courses; available in 13, 15 & 17 inch sizes. See also "Kut-Ruf".

FAIRY

A product of Samuelson, c1888, this was a sidewheel mower with a trailing grass box available in 9, 12, & 15 inch sizes with prices in that year ranging from £2.2.0d to £3.10.0d. A similar mower to the "Villa".

FALCON

A product of Follows & Bate, this was a 12 inch manual roller mower c1938, when it sold for £2.8.6d. The "Falcon" (under the Folbate name) continued to be made after Follows & Bate were taken over by Qualcast in 1938. When the Folbate name disappeared in 1966 the "Falcon" continued on as the Suffolk "Falcon" until 1972. Several catalogue mowers (eg "Dolson", "Horley") were "Falcons" sold under the retailer's name.

FAMOUS

A late 19th century edger and trimmer made by Dille & Anderson of Richmond, Indiana, USA. This consisted of three long reciprocating knife blades with following iron wheels, operated by a pair of long handles. The 8 inch long blades had a 5 inch width of cut. A two-bladed version was also available.

FAVORITE [Bookwalter]

A range of late 19th mowers made by J.W. Bookwalter of Springfield, Ohio, USA. Gear-driven roller mowers (ca. 1878) or robust-looking sidewheel mowers were offered. The colour scheme for the latter was black and gold.

FAVORITE [Samuelson]

A product (note spelling) of Samuelson, this was a manual sidewheel machine similar to the "Villa", c1880. Available in 8, 10, 12, & 14 inch sizes, prices in 1888 ranged from £2.10.0d to £5.5.0d, the smallest model having a "T"-handle and the others having twin handles unless requested by the purchaser. The grass box was originally of a peculiar curved design resembling a baby's crib.

FEDERAL

An American sidewheel mower marketed by the Brussels agent John H Graham c1920.

FENDEN

See "F & N".

FIREFLY

A product of Shanks made both before and after World War 2, the "Firefly" was a powered roller mower. In 1939 it was being offered in 14, 16, 20 & 28 inch sizes at prices ranging from £18.10.0d to £77.10.0d. In the smaller sizes a 2-stroke Villiers engine was fitted but in the two larger machines a J.A.P. 4-stroke engine was used (the 20 inch mower retaining the Villiers as an option for the purchaser).

FLANDRIA

A French (?) 1950s/60s sidewheel mower with a tubular metal handle. The editor unearthed one of these from a derelict cottage in France. No other details.

FLASH

A British-made sidewheel mower c.1920. One example in an Essex collection has a 9.5 inch cut (probably marketed as a 10 inch). Original colour scheme appears to have been gold.

FLEXA

A manual sidewheel mower introduced in 1932 and continued post-war. This utilised thin steel blades which lay horizontally (rather than vertically) on the cutting cylinder and which acted against a flexible shear-blade. One 18 inch example bears the serial no. Z18533. Originally marketed by John Hansen F.R.H.S., Astor House, Aldwych, London, the company under the name of The Flexa Lawn Mower Co. Ltd. was based at Onslow Hall House, Guildford Road, Woking and was a subsidiary of Christian Hansen. In 1939 the "Flexa" was being sold in 12, 14, 16 & 18 inch sizes at prices ranging from £3.15.0d to £4.10.0d. The colour scheme was gilt with bright stainless steel blades. At that time a canvas grass collector was offered, although some models were sold with an aluminium grass box with wooden sides from the back of which a chain connected with the wooden 'T' handle. The Company were also the makers of the interesting "Astor Grass Clipper" a hand-operated reciprocating-knife lawn edger c1950., which had its origins in the "Crab" hedge clipper marketed by John Hansen in the 1920s. By the 1980s "Flexa" mowers were being made for the Wilkinson Sword Co.

FLORENCE

An American sidewheel mower, c1890, made in Springfield, Ohio, USA, by Mast, Foos & Co. (or possibly by G.S. Foos).

FLYER [Greens]

A product of Greens, c1956, in their "Red Label" range which included later models of the "Zephyr" and the "Monitor". This was a sidewheel mower with a tubular steel handle - a successor to the "Tutor". Available in a 12 inch cut only, the "Flyer" sold for £5.6.8d in 1956 (grass box extra).

FLYER [Townsend]

A sidewheel mower manufactured by SP Townsend and co of Bloomfield, New Jersey, USA. Available in 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 inch versions. Probably dates from 1920s or early 1930s.

FLYWEIGHT

A product of Greens c1956, this was a powered roller mower with an 80cc J.A.P. engine. Available in 14 inch cut only, the "Flyweight" sold in 1956 for £31.18.11d.

FOLBATE

See Follows & Bate.

FOREST GLEN

Hand mower produced by the Eureka Planter Company.

FOUR IN HAND

A 1960s product of Shay, this was a conventional powered roller mower with a 75cc Villiers 4-stroke engine. In 1960 this 14 inch machine retailed at £40.6.6.d.

FOUR SEASONS SCRUB CUTTER

See "Motor Sickle".

FOUR STAR

A product of Victa, this was a 1960s rotary mower with a 125cc engine. The 18 inch model retailed for £45.0.0d in 1963 (grass catcher extra).

FRANKWELL

A sidewheel catalogue mower by Coldwell.

FRIGATE

A product of Hayter, this was a 36 inch rotary designed for the professional and local authority market as a replacement for the "Bank Rider". It was introduced in 1976 and production ceased in 1980.

G (Model)

A product of Qualcast c.1927, this was a high-wheel sidewheel mower available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes.

GALAXY

A product of Suffolk, this was rotary mower which replaced the "Centaur" in 1963.

GARDEN CITY

A product of Lloyds of Letchworth, this manual sidewheel machine was introduced in 1923, being named after Welwyn Garden City. It was made in 10, 12, 14, and 16 inch sizes and remained in production until the mid 1930s. In appearance it was a typical sidewheel mower of the period. In 1929 prices ranged from 45/-d. The slogan for the machine read "They cut cleanly and decisively - no "yanking" to and fro needed, tho' grass be wet and tangled".

GAZELLE

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies c1950, this was a powered sidewheel mower with an 18 inch cutting width and a 98cc Villiers engine. Replaced by the "Antelope" in 1956.

GEM [Coldwell]

Sidewheel mower made by Chadborn & Coldwell in USA in early 1900s. Advertisement for mower seen in The Ironmongers' Chronicle, 11 May 1907. Examples of this machine exist as catalogue mowers with identical design but different name, including Blackfriars.

GEM [Nutt]

A 10 inch manual roller model in the "Hayn" range manufactured by Nutt Eng. Co. Ltd. in the 1950s/60s. A 12 inch version was the "Super".

GEORGE

An early 20th century sidewheel mower made by the Philadelphia Lawn Mower Co., this was available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes with prices in 1910 ranging from £1.0.0d to £1.9.0d.

GIRARD

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower made by the Supplee Hardware Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

GLOBE [Mast, Foos & Co]

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower of conventional design for the period. Probable manufacturers were Mast, Foos & Co.

GLOBE [Ransomes]

See "World" [Ransomes].

GO AHEAD

A product of Follows & Bate, c1902, possibly similar to the "Roller".

GODIVA

A range of mowers made by Barford & Perkins, late 19th to early 20th century. It was on these machines that the manufacturers first (1902) placed the Wansbrough Patent method of altering the height of cut. Introduced in 1886, by 1890 these chain-driven roller mowers were available in sizes from 8 to 21 inches at prices ranging from £2.10.0d to £9.0.0d. Larger 24, 27, 30 and 36 inch machines (included in 1894 advertisements) were sold for donkey, pony or horse haulage.

GOLDEN EAGLE

A 1930s product of Shanks, this was a manual roller mower with a ribbed roller. In 1939 it was being offered in 12 and 14 inch sizes at £8.5.0d and £8.15.0d respectively.

GOLF LYNX

A product of Shanks designed for fine turf areas such as golf courses, this was a manual roller mower. In 1939 it was being offered in 14 and 16 inch sizes at £15.0.0d and £16.0.0d respectively.

GOLFER

A gear-driven pony mower by Follows & Bate, late 19th century until at least 1909.

GORDON

A Suffolk collection has a 12 inch 1920s/30s sidewheel mower marked "The Gordon" and "British (TWT)". The colour scheme of red and gold may be original. The retailers would have been Timothy White Taylors, the hardware and pharmaceutical chain who used the name Gordon for a range of garden tools which included sidewheel and roller mowers, line markers, rollers etc. Makers unknown.

GOVERNOR

A product of Shaw, this was a Burgess-engined roller mower with water cooling, the cutting cylinder acting as the flywheel. One example was restored by Andrew Hall in 1993.

GRAHAM

A product of Philadelphia c1920 this was a typical American sidewheel mower of the period. The colour scheme appears to have been silver with gold wheel rims, the words " "Graham" All Steel" appearing in yellow letters on the black T-handle. The name probably relates to the firm's connection with the company mentioned below.

GRASMO

A product of Arundel Coulthard & Co., this was long-grass version of the "Presto" sidewheel mower, and in 1939 was available in 10, 12, 14, 16 & 18 inch sizes at prices (for cash) ranging from 31/4d to 37/6d.

GRASSHOPPER

A product of Wallis Binch c.1934, this was a manual roller mower available in a 12 inch cut, retailing at 57/6d.

GRASSMASTER

A product of Tarpen Engineering, this was a 3-wheeled electric machine with small reciprocating knife blades, designed to cut rough grass and weeds. Introduced in the mid-1950s, the "Grassmaster" could be converted into the "Vergemaster" lawn edger at extra cost. Retail price in 1956 was £14.5.0d.

GRAVIC

Australian powered cylinder mowers available in 14 and 16 inch sizes, c1940. The same company also made gang units at that time.

GRAY'S INN

A Canadian-made high-wheel sidewheel mower marketed by the London firm of WBF & S Ltd., c1926.

GRAZIER

A three-wheeled rotary mower designed for long-grass areas marketed by Farmfitters Ltd. in the 1960s. With its two large rear wheels and smaller front wheel, the "Grazier" was a larger version of the "Sexton". In 1962 it retailed for £10.0.0d.

GREAT AMERICAN

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by the Supplee Hardware Lawrence & Co. of Philadelphia, USA, and imported through Lloyd, Lawrence & Co. Offered concurrently with the "Pennsylvania" in the 1880s.

GREEN CLIPPER

A product of Greens, this was a 10 inch sidewheel mower made in the 1930s; the price in 1938 being 25/-d (box extra).

GREENSMOWER

A product of the Ideal Power Lawn Mower Co., USA c1930, this was a manual roller mower golf greens. A variant was the "New Power Greensmower".

GREENSON

A range of mowers by Greens including a sidewheel ball-bearing mower. By 1935 the sidewheel "Greenson" was available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes at prices ranging from £2.7.6d to £3.0.0d. Patent runners, available as extras, allowed the machine overlap paths.

GREYHOUND

An American sidewheel mower made by the Thomas Mfg. Co. of Springfield, Ohio, USA, c1890. This was available in 14, 16, 18, & 20 inch sizes.

GRIMSBY

A sidewheel catalogue mower. No other details available.

GRIPPER

A manual sidewheel mower made by Alex Harris of Leicester and selling for 10/6d in 1909.

GUILDFORD MINOR

Trailed gang mower produced by Dennis, comprising three or five 24 inch units with cutting width of 68 and 108 inches respectively. Appears to have replaced the "Extracut" gang mowers in the early 1960s.

GUINEA

A range of mowers advertised by Boulton & Paul of Norwich in the 1870s. The smallest, "One-Guinea" machine, was a "T"-handled gear-driven roller mower of 6 inch cut, the "Two-Guinea" machine was singular with a 9 inch cut while "Three-Guinea" machines were available either as a 12 inch version of the smaller mowers or as a two handled machine.

H (Model)

A 1930s product of Qualcast, these sidewheel mowers were available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes. These had 9 inch driving wheels as opposed to the 10 inch in the Model "K".

H TYPE

A product of Auto-Mower, c.1939, this was a Lister-engined 4-stroke mower available in 24 and 30 inch sizes selling in 1939 for £49 and £68 respectively.

HANDY

A late-19th century edge-cutter by Greens, this had a wooden T-handle and a 6-blade star-wheel cutter. The price in 1897 was £1.10.0d.

HANIKA

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower made by the Hanika Iron Fence Co. of Springfield, Ohio, USA (firm established 1883).

HARRIER

A product of Hayter, this was a self-propelled roller-driven rotary from the 1970s.

HATTON GARDEN

An American sidewheel catalogue mower imported by G & W Purser of Birmingham and London, c1906.

HAWK MAJOR

See "Hawk".

HAWK [Hayter]

A product of Hayter, this was a hand propelled rotary with a 12 inch cut introduced in the early 1970s. The "Hawk Major" was the 19 inch version.

HAWK [Shanks]

A 1920s/30s product of Shanks. By 1939 this was the most expensive of that company's sidewheel machines at £2.13.6d for the 10 inch model, £2.16.9d for the 12 inch, and £3.1.6d for the 14 inch. Grass boxes, delivery plates, and longer handles were offered as optional extras.

HAYN

A range of manual and powered mowers by Nutt of Cambridge, c1950/60s. By 1966 both powered cylinder and rotary mowers were being offered for sale under this name. Manual mowers were offered in two models, the "Gem" and the "Super", having a 10 inch and 12 inch cut respectively.

HAYTERETTE

A range of powered rotary mowers made by Hayter for the smaller garden, the first "Hayterette" was made in 1957, and these were still being made into the 1990s. Original "Hayterettes" were red and silver, but hammered green, red and green, and dark green were used later.

HAYTERMOWER

A professional mower by Hayter which could be used with either a 26 inch rotary unit or a 30 inch cylinder, the "Haytermower" was first introduced in 1959.

HECTOR

A sidewheel mower by Pierce of Wexford (Eire) first introduced in 1928, made in 8-16 inch sizes. Superseded by the "Jewel" in 1938.

HELI-SWIFT

A product of Heli-Strand Tools, this was a rotary mower with a 20 inch cut introduced in the early 1960s. The engine could be lifted from the machine to power flexible-drive tools.

HERCULES

A late 19th century "high wheel" sidewheel mower made by the Blair Mfg. Co. Available in 14, 16, 18 & 20 inch sizes.

HIGH WHEEL [Chadborn & Coldwell]

See "New Model" (Chadborn & Coldwell). NOTE: Several manufacturers made high-wheel machines as variants of existing models for use on long grass.

HIGH WHEEL [Greens]

A variant of the "Silens Messor" designed for golf courses, c1912, similar to the Shanks "Triumph" and Ransomes "Ideal" machines.

HIGHWAY

A product of Hayter for the professional and local authority market, the "Highway" rotary with its 6 ft 6 in. cut was introduced in 1956.

HOBBY

A product of Hayter, this was a rotary mower with a split rear roller and plastic grass box introduced in 1982. Originally with a petrol engine driving the blades only, electric and self-propelled versions were added to the range in 1985.

HORLEY (The)

Catalogue mowers retailed by Young's of Horley. The 12 inch roller mower sold for 47/-d in 1940, and the 10 inch sidewheel mower for 20/-d. The roller mower was probably a product of Folbate as it seems identical with their "Falcon".

HORSE POWER

Several companies called their horse and pony mowers "horse power" mowers. One such mower was the 19th century Ransomes, Sims & Head pony mower circa. 1870. This was gear-driven machine with a rectangular grass box, the handles being stiffened by rods connecting with the frame of the machine. This mower continued to be made by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies; 26, 30, 36, & 48 inch cutting widths being offered. By 1890 the 26 inch model had been dropped and a 42 inch model substituted. Prices then ranged from £20.0.0d to £30.0.0d The machine was still being offered in the firm's 1915 catalogue described as the "1913 Horse" mower.

HORSESHOE TANK MOWERS

A generic name given by collectors to the range of powered roller mowers made by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies in the 1930s, so-called because of the shape of the petrol tank. These mowers are the Marks V, VA (16 inch), VI, VII, VIIA (20 inch) and VIII (16 inch). Originally with Blackburn engines the later marks had Sturmey-Archer engines. The 16 inch machines had a total-wastage oil system.

HOVERVAC

A product of Flymo c1993, this was a mains electric rotary mower with the grass box integrated within the body and emptied the same way as a cylinder vacuum cleaner.

HUNTER

A range of rotary mowers by Hayter, these were introduced in 1987 and could be either pushed or self-propelled. Three cutting widths (16,18, & 21 inch) were available and electric starting was available on the larger models from 1989.

HY

A slightly scaled-down version of the ATCO "Standard", available in 12 and 14 inch cutting width, made in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

HYDRAULIC

A range of multiple gang mower units by Ransomes.

IDEAL

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies c1905. This was a horse-drawn mower made for undulating surfaces such as golf courses and employed the Hillman Patent method of raising and lowering the cutting unit. By 1915 this was offered in 32 and 36 inch sizes at £34.0.0d and £36.0.0d respectively.

IMPERIAL [Coldwell]

A product of Coldwell, c1900, this was a double-ratchet sidewheel mower with a 6-bladed cutting cylinder available in sizes ranging from 10 to 20 inches, with prices from £2.15.0d to £5.5.0d -grass box extra.

IMPERIAL [MacDonald]

A mower marketed by W. MacDonald of Leeds in the 1860s. This was a gear-driven roller machine available in sizes from 10 to 20 inches with prices in 1869 ranging from £3.10.0d to £7.10.0d. Perhaps a reader can say if there was a relationship between this and the Picksley, Sims & Co. mower of the same name.

IMPERIAL [Picksley Sims]

A mid to late 19th century product of Picksley Sims & Co., of Manchester. This was a gear-driven roller mower made in a variety of sizes from 6 to 36 inches - the larger ones being donkey, pony or horse mowers.

IMPROVED AMERICAN

A product of Shanks, c1888, this was a conventional sidewheel mower available in 10, 12, 14, & 16 inch sizes with prices ranging from £3.0.0d to £5.10.0d.

IMPROVED GEAR

A pony mower by Barnard, Bishop & Barnard of Norwich, late 19th/early 20th century.

IMPROVED PATENT

A pony mower by Picksley, Sims & Co. of Leigh, Lancashire, late 19th/early 20th century.

INDIANA

An American imported sidewheel mower, c1900, available in 10, 12, 14, 16 & 18 inch sizes with prices ranging from 45/-d to 80/-d.

INVINCIBLE [John Crowley]

A range of mowers made by John Crowley & Co., Sheffield, to the patent of Samuel Edwards in 1873. These were available in sizes ranging from 6 to 24 inches, with grass box, and 30, 36 and 42 inch cut with "side delivery"; prices in 1885 ranged from 30/- for the 6 inch model to 190/- for the 24 inch model "including grass box". Prices for the 30 inch, 36 inch and 42 inch models were £22.0.0, £26.0.0 and £30.0.0 respectively. Prices in 1888 ranged from £1.10.0d to £9.10.0d. The largest were intended as pony mowers.

INVINCIBLE [Qualcast]

A sidewheel catalogue mower made for the CWS by Qualcast.

IVANHOE

A product of Shanks, c1920, this was a ball-bearing manual roller mower. By 1927 the "New Ivanhoe" was being offered in 12, 14, & 16 inch sizes at prices ranging from £7.0.0d to £9.5.0d.

J1

A traditional wooden-handled manual sidewheel mower manufactured after World War 2 by Qualcast under the Folbate name.

JACEM

An inter-wars "catalogue" mower marketed by Johnson, Clapham, and Morris but actually made by Qualcast and bearing a close resemblance to their "Model E".

JACKSON (The)

Late-1930s manual sidewheel and roller mowers advertised in the Thomas Plant catalogue. The sidewheel mowers were sold in 8, 10, & 12 inch sizes and the roller mower in 12 inch.

JEHU

A product of Shanks c1920, the "Jehu" was a powered roller mower available in 20, 24,and 30 inch sizes. By 1927 the basic 20 inch cut machine was being offered at £60.0.0d, the 24 inch machine at £70.0.0d, and the 30 inch machine at £90.0.0d. Available with bucket-type grass box at standard price or patent delivery (side release) apparatus at £2-10-0 extra.The "Jehu" is distinguished from the smaller "Wizard" by its cylindrical in-line (rather than transverse) petrol tank. At the same time Shanks were offering a 4 hp 24 inch machine and a 10 hp. 36 inch machine but these were not described as "Jehu" mowers.

JESTIMAH

An 8-10" sidewheel catalogue mower made by "Brill", has "Foreign" cast into the wheels. Colours were red, green, and gold.

JETCUT

A product of W.T. Teagle, this was a hand-held hedge and weed cutter with a reciprocating-knife head, introduced in the mid-1950s. Power was provided by the designer's own 50cc 2-stroke engine. Early machines had a chain drive enclosed within the tubular framework, but later machines had a shaft drive with bevel gearing. The last model, the "Super Jetcut" had a totally enclosed gearbox.

JETSCYTHE

A product of W.T. Teagle, this was a single-wheeled self-propelled reciprocating knife mower made in the late 1950s/early 1960s.

JETSTREAM

A product of Qualcast, this was a mains electric rotary mower with a rear-mounted grass box based on the earlier "Rota Mo 360". Introduced in 1974 the "Jetstream" was subsequently manufactured in a variety of sizes and with a petrol engine option. The "Jetstream" was also made under the Suffolk name.

JEWEL [Coldwell]

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes with prices in 1894 ranging from 22/6d to 29/6d. No grass box was offered. By 1902 8 inch and 18 inch sizes had been added to the range, the UK agents being Thomas McKenzie & Sons, Liverpool. Possibly a product of Coldwell who also made an asymmetrical trimmer under this name.

JEWEL [Pierce]

A sidewheel mower by Pierce of Wexford (Eire) introduced in 1938 as a successor to the "Hector" and continuing in production until 1950.

JOBBER

A 1960s grass cutting machine with small reciprocating knife blades driven by a 1hp J.A.P. two-stroke engine. This was a product of Cylinder Components Ltd. (Cyclo) of Kings Norton, Birmingham. One known example, distributed by Robinsons of Winchester, bears the serial no. 284. In 1958 Robinsons (who seem to have been the main distributors) were selling the "New Model" for £32.10.0d. A Webb 12 inch cylinder attachment could be fitted for cylinder mowing.

JOHNSON

An unusual American sidewheel mower patented in July 1878, the "Johnson" employed a large steering wheel on the end of the handle with acted upon each of the drive wheels. The phrase "sledgehammer to crack a nut" springs readily to mind.

JUNIOR

A toy lawn mower with a 7 inch cut made by the Crescent Brass & Iron Co. of Detroit. The various models of this had alphabetical designations. An interesting late 19th century forerunner of the children's mowers made by Webb in the 1950s.

JUNIOR ARCHIMEDEAN

An American sidewheel mower made by Hills, c1888, and imported by John Rollins & Co. of London Bridge. This was available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes at prices ranging from 55/-d to 85/-d; the rear-mounted grass box being 5/-d extra.

JUNIOR SICKLE

A product of John Allen, this was a hand-propelled rotary mower, similar to the early Hayter machines, introduced in 1959.

K (Model)

A 1930s product of Qualcast. This was a sidewheel mower similar to "Model H" but having 10 inch diameter driving wheels as opposed to 9 inch in the "H". Available in 12, 14 & 16 inch cutting widths.

KANGAROO

A sidewheel mower, probably of American origin, marketed in Australia, 1930/40s. One 14 inch example is owned by a Club member.

KEEN KLIPPER

An American double-gear sidewheel mower imported by John Shaw & Sons Ltd. of Wolverhampton c1905.

KEEN KUTTER

An improved version of the "Keen Klipper" with a triple-gear drive patented by E.C. Simmonds of St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Also imported by Shaw. The "Keen Kutter" was a trade name used on many of the manufacturer's products.
 

KEMMCO

A small hand-held rotary machine with a 1 hp. 2-stroke engine manufactured by the Bristol firm of Kemmcoc1958. This was designed to be used on tight corners and banks rather in the same way as the later strimmers.

KEYNSHAM

A 15 inch roller motor mower made by Brecknell & Sons, Tangent Works, Keynsham, Bristol in the early 1930s. This sold at 25 guineas. One example in the UK has a dark blue and orange colour scheme and bears the serial no. 2342.

KING'S CROSS

An American sidewheel catalogue mower marketed by W.B. Fordham & Sons Ltd. of King's Cross, London, c1906.

KINGFISHER

A mower marketed by Farmfitters Ltd. c1955, this was a rotary machine advertised as "Britain's new lawnmower" and which retailed at £36 plus £6.6.0d purchase tax.

KNICKERBOCKER

A product of the New York, USA firm of Carr & Hobson, c1885, this was a roller mower available in 10, 12, & 14 inch sizes advertised as having "full-width shear steel blades".

KNIGHT

An early 20th century sidewheel mower made by the Philadelphia Lawn Mover Co. and available in 12, 14, 16 & 18 inch sizes. Prices in 1910 ranged from £2.9.0d to £3.10.0d.

KUT-RUF

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, this was a 15 inch 4-blade manual machine made in the mid-1920s as a rough grass mower. In 1927 it sold at £8.5.0d. The chassis and wheels of the "Kut-Ruf" were identical to those used on the earlier "New Empire", although the mower's similarity to the Pennsylvania "Fairway" also indicate American origins.

L

A series of sidewheel mowers made by the American Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. in the 1940s. In September 1949 the Model "L" was being made in 16 & 18 inch sizes which sold at $28.95 and $30.50 respectively. A "Hi-Cut" version (16 inch only) was available also at $30.50.

LADY

A 20th century ball-bearing sidewheel mower made by The Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. of Prophetstown, Illinois, USA. This was made in various cutting widths and cylinder variations, but all (apart from export-only machines) had the firm's Adams self-sharpening device. Local collectors in the US give the manufacturing dates of the "Lady" as 1908-1928. An export-only model, occasionally to be found in the UK, utilised the frame of the post-war "Arlington", wheels from the Model "M", and married these to pre-war "Lady" handles. One example of this export mower in an Essex collection has a light green colour scheme.

LADYBIRD

A late-1940s electric rotary mower with a single handle and front roller. Made to resemble a ladybird, it could be used on AC or DC and sold for 16 gns in 1950. "Ladybird" machines were also offered throughout the 50s into the 60s, eg in their 1961-62 catalogue Stauntons of Northampton were offering a 12 inch self-propelled electric cylinder mower by "Ladybird" for £23.19.5d plus Purchase Tax of £4.10.7d. In the 1950s-70s "Ladybird" also made bolt-on electric conversion units for popular manual machines such as Webb and Qualcast. In the 1950s, the owners of the company are given as the AMI Lawnmower Co. of Whitcomb St. London. See also "New Ladybird".

LAGONDA

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by the Superior Machine Co. of Springfield, Ohio.

LANDSCAPE

A sidewheel mower made by the American firm of Landers, Frary, & Clark c1870.

LARK

A late1940s/50s American powered sidewheel mower made by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. Powered by a 2hp. Briggs & Stratton engine the 18 inch

LASER

A range of rotary mowers by Mountfield introduced in 1993.

LAWN FLITE

A ride-on mower from the 1970s with a Briggs & Stratton engine.

LAWN KING

US powered mower by Jacobsen c1957.

LAWN TRIMMER

A small 10 inch roller mower by Webb from the 1950s with a metal pole handle.

LAWNBUG

A British-made ride-on mower by Westwood, c1976, this was available in three models, the B5, B6 and B8, with differing engine sizes.

LAWNMAN

A product of Allen Power Equipment in the 1980s, this was a hand-propelled rotary mower with 18 inch cut and a Briggs & Stratton engine.

LAWNRIDER

A product of British Anzani and developed from the "Easimow", of 1955 this was one of the first post-war ride-on machines and because of its shape is sometimes known as the "Swan Neck" model. Originally with a Villiers engine and a single driving wheel, later versions had Briggs & Stratton engines and twin driving wheels. The "Lawnrider" was in production from 1958 until the mid-1960s. One single-wheel B/S engined example bears the serial no. L-24 393. In 1963 the "Lawnrider" was being offered in 18 and 24 inch sizes at a price of £90 and £115 respectively.

LAWNSPRITE

A New Zealand-built rotary mower with a JAP engine.

LEADER [Granite State]

An American sidewheel mower, c1905, made by the Granite State Mowing Machine Co. of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, USA.

LEADER [Hills]

An American sidewheel mower made by Hills of Hartford, Connecticut, USA. c1888.

LEDA

A 1950s gang mower unit by Lloyds available in two versions, one with 18 inch wheels and 30/36 inch cut and the other with 20 inch wheels and a 30 inch width.

LEO

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, this was a manual sidewheel mower made in the 1930s, and a successor to the "Lion". Advertised as "the world's best sidewheel mower", the "Leo" was available in three sizes and sold for 53/6d in May 1939. Also available as a bank cutter with a pole handle.

LEWIS

A hybrid mower with two inside-frame wheels at the rear of the cutting cylinder. Made by the Senaca Falls Lawn Mower Co., New York, USA, c1889.

LEWIS DE LUXE

See Lewis's.

LIGHT GANG

A product of Shanks, this was a lightweight triple gang mower designed for golf fairways and "where the way is not so fair". Price was £198-0-0 in 1952.

LIGHT MOTOR [Greens]

A range of Green's motor mowers in the 1920s. Offered in 1929 with a kick-start, prices ranged in that year from £37.10.0d for a 16 inch machine to £85 for the 30 inch.

LIGHT MOTOR [Ransomes]

A range of Ransomes Villiers-powered roller mowers introduced in 1930. usually with serial numbers bearing the "K" prefix (eg K1058 was made in 1933, one of 1,400 14 inch Mk.1 machines made before this model was discontinued in 1936). Early models (eg K577) had a cast air intake with the "VEC" motif, rather than the mesh intake of the later models.

LIGHTNING

See "Moreton's Lightning".

LIGHTWEIGHT

Many manufacturers made mowers described in the advertising literature as "Lightweight" machines. Best known are the range of mowers made by ATCO in the mid to late 1930s. These followed on the tradition set by the "Standard" and the "HY", being mowers made for the smaller suburban garden. Side plates were used, unlike the "open frame" construction of the earlier mowers, and the petrol tanks were mounted transversely and not "in-line". A variety of Villiers engines were used, mostly housed in an aluminium fairing, and in some machines a "kick-start" was introduced for the first time. These "Lightweight" mowers paved the way for the "kick-start" mowers by that company so popular after World War 2 and into the 1950s.

LION

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, the "Lion" was a manual sidewheel mower introduced in the early years of the century and continuing in production into the 1930s. It was available in four sizes, 9, 11, 13, and 15 inch cutting widths at prices in 1915 ranging from £1.6.0d to £1.12.0d. Grass boxes, delivery plates, and a long handle for banks were optional extras. Another extra was Slatter's Patent Front Runner which could be fitted to all sidewheel mowers having a rear roller, thus enabling them to overlap the lawn edges.

LIONESS

A 1930s sidewheel mower by Ransomes available in 10 and 12 inch sizes. Similar to the "Lion" but of aluminium construction.

LITTLE GEM

A small sidewheel mower patented by Ransomes, Sims & Head (Pat. No. 3261) on 17 September 1875 and introduced into the market for 1876. This model had a slightly curved "T" handle and a trailing grass box. Two versions were available: six inch, costing 25 shillings; eight inch, costing thirty five shillings. Ransomes sales figures for 1876 suggest 385 were sold in total that year (the company's records show that it sold 1921 of the Automaton models the same year).

LITTLE ROBIN

A 1960s product of the Mendip Mower Co., these 8 & 12 inch rotary mowers and scythes had BSA 65cc. or Villiers 75cc. power plants.

LITTLE WONDER

A range of cutters and trimmers introduced by Webb in the 1970s. These were powered by electric motors (either mains or battery) and consisted of a rotary trimming head on the end of a long handle. Two models were available in 1972 selling at £30.75 and £35.95 respectively.

LONDON

An American catalogue mower imported into the U.K. by W.H. Fagan (W.H.F.) of Aldersgate, London, c1900. In 1903 this sidewheel machine was available in 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes with prices ranging from 22/6d to 30/6d (grass boxes extra).

LONDON EXCELSIOR

See "Excelsior" [Chadborn & Coldwell].

LONG GRASS

A product of Shanks, this was a high-wheel sidewheel mower (1930s/50s) with a 15 inch cutting width and a four-bladed cylinder. Neither grass boxes nor delivery plates appear to have been offered. The price in 1939 was £8.10.0d.

M

A series of American sidewheel mowers made by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. In 1950 the Model "M" with its tubular steel handle was being offered in 16, 18 and 20 inch sizes.

MACO

A manual sidewheel mower sold by Metal Agencies Ltd. of Bristol, early 1930s. Probably a catalogue mower, the "Maco" was sold in 10, 12, & 14 inch sizes for 20/6d, 21/6d, and 23/-d respectively.

MAGIC [Follows & Bate]

A product of Follows & Bate c1931, this was a sidewheel mower of all-steel construction. One existing 10 inch example bears the serial no.19969/31. The "Magic" was supplied to the Army & Navy stores and sold as the "Ancos" and to Littlewoods as the "Spinney". This latter machine had a yellow colour scheme. The "Magic" was also sold post-war under the "Folbate" name. Many un-named mowers of the late 1930s-1940s period are "Magics", as are mowers like the "Velocity".

MAGIC [USA]

An American sidewheel mower, c1890, this was available in 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16-in sizes with prices ranging from £1.1.0d to £1.18.0d -grass box extra.

MAGIMATIC

A product of Webb, this was a powered roller mower from the 1950s/60s utilising a small J.A.P. two-stroke engine to drive the cutters only, as on the "Powered Panther". A range of "Tarpentool" accessories could be driven off the mower by means of a flexible drive. In 1960 the 12 inch model sold at £38.17.0d.

MAJESTIC [Ransomes]

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, this was a powered roller mower from the mid-1950s. A mains electric version was also sold.

MAJESTIC [USA]

An American sidewheel mower, c1895. This was a ball-bearing mower imported through J & C Plimpton of Liverpool.

MAJOR [Dux]

Product of Dux.

MAJOR [JP]

A product of J.P. in the "Maxees" range, this was a 12 inch manual roller mower selling at £6.17.6d in 1939.

MAJOR [Qualcast]

A product of Qualcast, c1927 to c1930, and the first roller mower produced by this company, the "Major" was not a success and was soon replaced by the "Panther". The "Major" was only produced in 12 inch cutting width and sold for £5-10-0 in 1927.

MANCHESTER

A product of Follows & Bate c1880, this was a sidewheel mower with enclosed gearing available in 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch cutting widths. In 1881 prices ranged from 35/-d to 90/-d. By 1890 6 and 7 inch mowers had been added to the range and prices ranged from 21/-d to 105/-d.

MAPLE LEAF

A Canadian-built sidewheel mower. An 8 inch example is owned by a Club member.

MARQUIS

A range of mowers by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies. The early "Marquis" was a 1920s manual roller mower with "chevron" blades on the cutting cylinder, but the later post-war models were high quality powered mowers for the professional market which were still being made into the 1990s well after the company withdrew from the domestic market. By 1997 the "Marquis" with its 15cm cut was the smallest machine being made by that company.

MARVALLA

A 10 inch roller mower (probably by Arundel & Coulthard) c1950.

MARVEL

A manual roller mower by Godiva Engineering c1927.

MASTER

A range of professional powered roller mowers by Greens in the 1940s/50s. These were available in 17, 20, 24, 30 & 36 inch cutting widths with prices in 1956 ranging from £124.12.8d (inc PT) to £305.18.3d. The 17 and 20 inch sizes had Villiers engines whilst the larger machines had Norman engines. A "Master Verge Cutter" was also available as a larger version of the "Motor Roughcut".

MASTER LIGHTWEIGHT

A lightweight version of the Greens "Master", this was a 14 inch mower which in 1949 sold at £36.0.0d (plus PT). A feature of this machine was the easily removable cutting cylinder. The engine was a 98cc Villiers two-stroke.

MASTER VERGE CUTTER

See "Master".

MASTIFF

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies from the 1960s onwards. Made for the professional market this was one of mowers which continued in production when the firm withdrew from the domestic market in the mid-1970s.

MATADOR

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, this was a powered roller mower for the professional market and one of the marques continuing when the company withdrew from the domestic market in the mid-1970s. A more powerful version of the "Meteor".

MATCHLESS

A product of J.P., this was a late 1940s sidewheel mower with the typical J.P. "X" handle. It was unusual only in that it was the product of a firm normally specialising in roller mowers. Production dates were from 1946-49.

MAXEES

A range of models by J.P. including their 12 inch manual roller mower selling at £4.18.6d in 1939. This mower continued in production post-1945 and was being offered in 1949 at £14.7.4d (including PT). All in all the "Maxees" was made from 1937 to 1971 in its various forms, electric and petrol engine models (including a conversion unit) also being available from 1957-1963

MAYFLY

A 1950s product of Shanks, this was a powered roller mower designed for fine turf areas, having a 16 inch cut and a 6-bladed cutting cylinder.

MERCURY [Ransomes]

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, this was a powered roller mower with 16 inch cut and a 75cc Villiers 4-str. engine made between 1958 and 1964. A mains electric version was also made. By the 1961/2 season the "Mercury" was being offered complete with grassbox at £47.10.0d plus Purchase Tax of £9.5.3d.

MERCURY [Sidewheel]

An early-20th century sidewheel mower.

MERCURY [Taylor Forbes]

A sidewheel mower manufactured by Taylor-Forbes. The mower was available in 14" cut with five blades on the cylinder and utilising ball bearings. It was listed in a catalogue dated 1949, priced at $17.95.

MERLIN [Allen]

A product of Allen of Oxford under the Mayfield name. This was a 1960s ride-on rotary mower which resembled a miniature tractor. The "Merlin" had a 231cc Briggs & Stratton engine and 26 inch cut.

MERLIN [Hayter]

A product of Hayter, this was a hand-propelled rotary with a Briggs & Stratton engine introduced in 1973.

METEOR [Ransomes]

A product of Ransomes, this was a powered roller mower for the professional market in the 1950s. One 24 inch Mk.4 bears the serial no.BL319 and the provisional patent no.30494/54. By the 1961/2 season the "Meteor-Four" with its 150cc 4-str. J.A.P. engine was being sold in two widths (20 & 24 inch) at £117 and £130 respectively, plus Purchase Tax.

METEOR [Suffolk]

A product of Suffolk, this was rotary mower introduced in 1974 with a specification similar to the "Jetstream". The standard version had a 3 hp. Aspera engine whilst the De Luxe version had a 3.5 hp. Briggs & Stratton.

METEOR-FOUR

See "Meteor" [Ransomes].

MID WEST

A 20th century American sidewheel mower, a product of The Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. similar to the "Lady"

MIDDLEWEIGHT

A 1950s product of ATCO this was a powered roller mower of traditional design showing its 1930s/40s origins, powered by a 150cc 4-stroke engine. By the early 1960s the "Middleweight" was being offered in 20 and 24 inch sizes at £75.0.0d and £95.0.0d respectively.

MIDGET

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies c1930. A 14 inch Villiers-powered roller machine, the "Midget" was first produced in the 1930s in response to the growing need for mowers for the small suburban garden. The power plant was a 1hp. two-stroke engine.

MILBRO

An early 20th century high-wheel sidewheel mower marketed by Millard Bros. and probably made by the F & N Lawn Mower Co. of Richmond, Indiana, USA. This appears to be identical to the "Improved Champion" mower retailed by Gamages in 1911; the 12 inch cut "Milbro" costing 37/-d and the Gamages version costing 15/9d.

MINI

A range of small roller mowers by J.P. (1930s/40s ?). These had a 9 inch cut and a 6-bladed cutting cylinder.

MINI MOW

An American-made toy rotary mower, mid-20th century.

MINIATURE MOWER FOR CHILDREN

In the 1950s and 60s Webb made a range of tiny working mowers for children. These were manual roller mowers similar to the range of adult machines made by that company but were only 1ft 9in high and had an 8 inch cut. Drive from the roller to the blades was by rubber belt. Small tin grass boxes were fitted and these bore either the Webb name inside an oval or the later Webb "striped lawn" logo. It is doubtful whether safety standards would allow these to be made today.

MINIATURE [Atco]

The name given to a range of 1960s powered cylinder mowers by ATCO. These had 75cc recoil start engines and, in 1964, retailed at £29.10.0d (12 inch) and £34.0.0d (14 inch)

MINIATURE [Barnard, Bishop & Barnard]

A range of lawn mowers by Barnard, Bishop & Barnard, c1870, these were gear-driven roller mowers available in sizes from 10 to 18 inches, with prices in 1871 ranging from £2.2.0d to £6.10.0d.

MINIMOWER [JP]

A small J.P. manual roller mower produced in 10 and 12in cutting widths between 1962 and 1971.

MINOR [Dux]

See Dux "Minor".

MINOR [JP]

A product of J.P. Made in 9 and 11 inch cutting widths these were manual roller mowers selling in 1939 at £3.17.6d and £4.17.6d respectively.

MINOR [Ransomes]

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies from the late 1940s to the late 1950s. Initially a very compact Villiers-engined roller machine, the "Minor" was one of first post-war mowers and was developed through successive models. The Mk.7 was an 18 inch kick-start machine, an example of which bears the serial no. BC4544.

MIRAGE

A product of Mountfield, this was a 1980s rotary mower.

MODEL

A product of Samuelson, c1888, this was a gear-driven roller machine available only in 6 inch cut and marketed specifically for small lawns and borders. The price in 1888 was £1.10.0d which included 3/-d for the grass box.

MODEL B ELECTRIC [Webb]

A 14 inch electric roller mower manufactured by Webb in the 1950s. The Webb Lawn Edge Trimmer was available as a separate accessory to attach to the mower.

MODEL ELEVEN

Gang unit produced by Shanks in the 1960s with 10 inch diameter cutter, designed to be combined in triples and quintuples.

MODEL NINE

Gang unit produced by Shanks in the 1960s, designed for fine grassland. Available with 7-blade cutters for extra fine cut.

MODEL TEN

Gang unit produced by Shanks in the 1960s, specially built for tougher work on park, pasture, orchard or airfield. Supplied in formation of one to nine units with overall cutting widths from 2 feet 6 inches to 21 feet.

MOHAWK

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower made by the Blair Mfg. Co. Available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes.

MONARCH [F&N]

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower with a trailed canvas grass box made by the F & N Lawn Mower Co. Available in sizes from 10 to 20 inches.

MONARCH [Greens]

A product of Greens c1877, this was a roller mower advertised as having "chain and internal gear combined". Available in 12 to 24 inch sizes, these mowers were designed for two-man operation. See also "New Monarch".

MONARCH [JP]

A product of J.P., this was a chain-driven roller mower from the late 1940s, available in 12-14-inch sizes from 1949 to 1957

MONARCH [Mountfield]

A product of Mountfield, this was a 21 inch rotary mower introduced in 1988.

MONARCH [Stearns]

An American sidewheel mower made by E.C. Stearns of Syracuse, New York, USA, c1890. Available in 10 to 20 inch sizes. The colour scheme was olive green with orange blades and side wheels.

MONITOR

A product of Greens in the late 1940s/5Os, this was a manual chain-driven roller mower with a tubular steel handle. It had a 6-blade cutting cylinder and was a low-cost version of the "Zephyr". The improved "Monitor 2" sold for £9.9.0d in 1956.

MONTA

An American mower c1923 by the Montagu Mfg. Co. utilising the principles of the 1908 patent by J.H. Holland. This machine utilised a series of cutting discs rotating in the horizontal plane and was in production until 1946 . One example in an Essex collection has an inverted "A"-handle.

MORAIMONT

A sidewheel mower marketed in western Europe c1920. Possibly an American import.

MORETON'S LIGHTNING

An American-made sidewheel mower, probably made in the 1920s/30s. One example is known in a UK collection.

MOTO MOWER

Designed & patented by The Moto Mower Company of Detroit, USA, (previously Pontiac Lawn Mowers est. 1919) this large powered sidewheel mower was put into production by Lloyds of America, makers of the Pennsylvania mower, c1924, and imported into the UK by Lloyds of Letchworth. These were marketed as the Pennsylvania Moto Mower. They had a 27 inch cut and 248cc Blackburn engines. In the mid-1930s a 21 inch model was introduced which had a slightly larger JAP engine. This later machine was marketed as the Lloyds Pennsylvania Motor Mower.

MOTO-STANDARD

A range of ride-on garden tractors by Allen Power Equipment.

MOTOR ROUGHCUT

See "Roughcut" [Greens].

MOTOR SCYTHE

See Hayter.

MOTOR SICKLE

A product of Vivien Loyd & Co., Camberley, c1950, the "Motor Sickle" was an 18 or 21 inch rotary mower with a Villiers engine and pram-type spoked wheels. The engine drove the cutting head only. This machine was first exhibited at the 1950 Smithfield Show and, unlike most rotary mowers even in the early days, had completely unguarded blades. The retail price in 1951 was £39.15.0d. Later marketed as the "Four Seasons Scrub Cutter".

MOW MASTER

US rotary mower c1950.

MOW-N-TRIM

A product of the Birmid-Qualcast Group, this was an electric rotary mower from the 1980s which was marketed with both plastic blades and as a reel cutter.

MOW-RITE

A manual rotary mower (1960s ?) . The vertical drive from the main wheel was, by a series of chains and pulleys, converted to horizontal drive which in turn operated a rotary cutter. Whether the machine could be pushed fast enough to give adequate rotation to the blade must remain questionable, although it seems to perform well enough on short grass. This was probably a catalogue or mail-order mower although no other details are available. The colour scheme of the one machine seen is sky-blue.

MOWALL

Combination power mower for use with a tractor unit made by Scott Bonnar c1938, available in 7 and 11-foot cut.

MOWEESI

See "All British".

MOWELL

A German-made 1920s sidewheel mower (probably by Brill) marked "FHL". Some of these machines had a 7 inch cutting width but were probably advertised as being 8 inch. This was not unusual for German mowers of the period. One 8-in. example in an Essex collection has the date "1928" cast into the wheels and sole plate. This machine also has "RF" and "RFK 5/55" cast into the wheels.

MOWMOTOR

See Trusty "Mowmotor".

MULTUM IN PARVO

A product of Thomas Green, translated as "With little, much". Introduced in the 1880s and continued in production well into the 20th century. In 1887 four sizes were being offered (6, 7, 8 & 10 inch) at prices ranging from £1.5.0d to £3.0.0d.

NATIONAL [Carr & Hobson]

A product of the New York, USA firm of Carr & Hobson in the 1880s, this was a sidewheel machine advertised as having an easily removable cutting cylinder. Available in 10, 12, 14, & 16 inch sizes.

NATIONAL [Henderson]

A product of Hendersons, this was a manual chain-driven roller mower, c1905.

NEW AUTOMATON

See "Automaton".

NEW BRITISHER

A product of Shanks and an improved version of the "Britisher", this was a sidewheel mower made in the 1940s and which was still in production in 1950, being offered in 12, 14 & 16-in sizes, with the grass box and delivery plate as optional extras.

NEW CENTURY

A sidewheel mower by Greens c1900. This was available in a variety of sizes and enjoyed a long production run, still being advertised in 1929 in 9, 11, 13, 15, and 18 inch sizes at prices ranging from £2.5.0d to £3.2.6d.

NEW CHAMPION [Coldwell Suffolk]

Catalogue mowers made by Coldwell and Suffolk.

NEW CHAMPION [Gamages]

A sidewheel mower, an American catalogue machine, marketed under the "Gamages" name c1910. An example is in the Milton Keynes Museum. This is probably a product of the Champion Mfg. Co. of Richmond, Indiana, USA.

NEW CHARM

A product of B. Hirst of Halifax, c1879, this was a gear-driven roller mower available in sizes ranging from 10 to 24 inches (the largest being pony mowers). The model was still being advertised in 1892.

NEW CLIPPER [Barford & Perkins]

A late 19th century manual roller mower by Barford & Perkins. By 1898 the "New Clipper" had a height regulator worked from the handles and a serrated bottom blade.

NEW CLIPPER [Coldwell]

See "Clipper" [Chadborn & Coldwell].

NEW COUNTY

A product of Webb, this was an 18 inch rotary mower c1964 with a 3hp. Briggs & Stratton 4S engine

NEW DELIGHT

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower made by the F & N Lawn Mower Co. Available in sizes from 10 to 20 inches.

NEW DEPARTURE

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower made by the Supplee Hardware Co. of Philadelphia, USA, and imported into Britain by Lloyd Lawrence & Co. Offered concurrently with the "Pennsylvania" in the 1880s.

NEW DIAMOND

An American sidewheel mower, c1900, made by Whitman & Barnes of Chicago, USA. Available in 12, 14, 16, 18 & 20 inch sizes, prices in 1900 ranged from 50/-d to 62/-d. This name is also found on the handle of a sidewheel mower made by Herschel of Peoria, Illinois, USA.

NEW EASY

See "Easy".

NEW ELECTRIC

This, despite its name, was a late 19th century American manual sidewheel mower made by Whitman & Barnes of Chicago, Illinois, USA. It had 9 inch diameter drive wheels and a 4-bladed cylinder.

NEW EMPIRE

A high wheel sidewheel mower made by Ransomes Sims and Jefferies and superseding the "Empire Major". In 1915 this was being offered in 13, 15, 17, 19 & 21 inch sizes at prices ranging from £4.15.0d to £7.10.0d. The chassis and wheels of the "New Empire" are identical to those on the later "Kut-Ruf".

NEW ENGLAND

An American imported sidewheel mower, c1895, this was available in sizes ranging from 10 to 18 inches and prices from 19/6d to 28/-d. One agent handling this machine was J.C. Plimpton & Co. of Liverpool, but there were others.

NEW ERA [Lloyds]

A late 1940s/1950s product of Lloyds made for bowling and putting greens. This was a manual roller mower with tubular "X" handles, available in 15 and 18 inch widths.

NEW ERA [Pennsylvania]

A product of "Pennsylvania" of typical American design for the period (early 20th century) this roller mower shared the same handles as Green's "New Monarch" and there are examples bearing both names.

NEW EXCELSIOR

See "Excelsior".

NEW GODIVA

The name under which Nene Engineering launched their "Godiva" mower following the demise of the original makers Barford & Perkins c1920.

NEW HENLEY

See "Henley" (Richmond, Indiana).

NEW INTERNATIONAL

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower imported by Hoods of Birmingham. Available in 10, 12 & 14 inch sizes this was being sold at 13/9d, 14/6d, and 15/6d in 1900 (grass box extra).

NEW IVANHOE

See "Ivanhoe".

NEW LADYBIRD

A small streamlined mower by Flymo c1964 using an Aspera engine. This was the company's first rotary mower.

NEW MODEL

A product of the American firm of Chadborn & Coldwell, c1885, this was a sidewheel mower also available in a high-wheel version. In 1887 the "New Model" was being offered in sizes ranging from 6 to 20 inches at prices from £1.5.0d to £5.10.0d. In France in 1889 the "New Model" was being offered in 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 cm. sizes at prices ranging from 45 fr. to 95 fr. - the Paris agent being Th. Pilter at 24, Rue Alibert.

NEW MONARCH

A roller mower by Greens and sharing the same handles as the Pennsylvania-designed "New Era" (early 20th century).

NEW NORKA

An early 20th century sidewheel mower made by Whitman & Barnes of Chicago, Illinois, USA, c1905. This had 9 inch diameter drive wheels and a 3-bladed cutting cylinder.

NEW PARIS

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies c1887. This manual sidewheel mower, also available with a long handle for work on inclined surfaces, was the "Paris" mower made for the home market. By 1889 the "New Paris" was being offered in 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch cutting widths at prices ranging from 30/-d to 70/-d, box extra. (See also "Anglo-Paris").

NEW PARK

An imported American sidewheel mower, c1878. The British agents were J.J Thomas & Co. of the Paddington Iron & Wire Works. Available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes, prices in 1881 ranged from £2.0.0d to £3.10.0d.

NEW POWER GREENSMOWER

A product of the Ideal Power Lawn Mower Co. c1931. See "Greensmower".

NEW PRESIDENT

See "President".

NEW PRESTO

A sidewheel ball-bearing machine with 12 inch cut, manufactured by Arundel Coulthard & Co of Preston in the 1950s, possibly introduced 1954. The design incorporated 7 inch diameter "non-skid" wheels.

NEW ROUGH

A product of the Ideal Power Lawn Mower Co., this was a gang-mower c1931 designed for cutting the rough areas of golf courses.

NEW ROYAL

A product of Green's, this was a sidewheel machine c1900. Large versions of this were made for use on fine grass. In 1906 this mower was offered in 17, 19 & 21 inch widths. The Mk.2 "New Royal" was still in production in 1935 and available in 13, 15, 17 & 19 inch sizes with prices ranging from £7.0.0d to £10.0.0d (grass box and delivery plate extra), but by this time the mower was looking very dated.

NEW YORK

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower made by Coldwell. This was available in 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes.

NEWER EASY

See "Easy"

NIPPER

A toy lawnmower retailed by Gamages c1914. The wording in the catalogue is worth repeating, "The knives revolve in exactly the same way as a big Mower and it is quite easy to push. A polished handle is fitted, and the metal work is finished in blue, green, red, and black enamel; the knives in aluminium paint. The whole is neatly cardboard boxed. It is not intended to cut much grass, but it snips off some, so may be truly said to cut grass." The price in 1914 was 6/3d with grassbox and 4/11d without.

NOISELESS

Although many firms in the mid to late 19th century offered patent noiseless mowers, due mainly to the noisy operation of the early gear-driven machines, the best known noiseless machines were those offered in the late 1860s by Barnard, Bishop & Barnard with the words "Patent Noiseless Lawn Mower" on the handles. In 1869 these were sold in sizes from 6 to 30 inches (the largest being horse and pony machines). These mowers utilised the company's India rubber tyre which ultimately proved unsuccessful.

NOVA

A product of the F & N Lawn Mower Co. of Richmond, Indiana, USA. In 1931 this sidewheel mower was advertised as "unbreakable" (having been dropped from an aeroplane) - a claim which the editor finds hard to believe !

NOVEL LAWN MOWER

See Warren (Charles).

NOVELTY

A reciprocating-knife mower patented in December 1870 by A.J. Ohmer of Hamilton, Ohio, USA. This consisted of a wheel-driven cutter-bar to which a pole handle was attached. The machine was advertised as being available in 14, 16 & 18 inch sizes, the latter intended for side-draft operation by a pony. The smallest machine weighed 16lbs and the largest 30lbs.

O.K.

A late 19th century product of Chadborn & Coldwell, this was an American sidewheel mower, c1891.

ONTARIO

An early 20th century Canadian-built sidewheel mower with double gearing available in 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 & 20 inch sizes, with prices in 1904 ranging from £3.6.0 to £5.12.6, making it an expensive mower for the period.

ORCHARD

A product of Hayter for the professional market, the "Orchard" rotary with its 5ft. cut was introduced in 1950.

OSBORNE

A pony mower by Hartley & Sugden of Halifax, late 19th century. Available in 20, 22, 24 & 26 inch sizes, this was smaller version of the "Balmoral".

OSPREY

A product of Hayter, this was a self-propelled rotary from the 1970s.

OULTON

An American sidewheel mower c1925 marketed by the London wholesalers WBF & S Ltd. This sold at 34/6d, almost 12/-d less than the same firm's Qualcast "E".

OVERGREEN

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, the "Overgreen" was a large walk-behind mowing unit designed specifically for golf courses and similar areas. Introduced in the 1930s and manufactured until the 1950s, this machine had a 348cc Sturmey Archer (Ransomes) engine mounted between two large wheels and was used to push one mower unit whilst pulling two smaller mowers at the rear.

P.E.T.

An American designed powered edge trimmer. In 1960 this J.A.P. engined machine with its vertically rotating cutters retailed for £30.10.0d. It was marketed by a number of UK companies including Shay and Andrews of Sunningdale.

PALADIN

A post-1945 powered roller mower from Lloyds designed for professional and fine turf use. The engine was a 1hp. 4-stroke Villiers.

PANTHER

The name given to long series of Qualcast roller mowers commencing with the initial model in 1932 and continuing into the 1970s. The majority of these machines were conventional twin-handled manual chain driven mowers until the introduction of the "Powered Panther" in the 1950s with its tiny J.A.P. engine, although it was possible in the 1930s to obtain bolt-on power units of various sorts. The "Panther" continued to be made under the Suffolk name into the 1990s. The "Superlite Panther" was a lightweight post-World War 2 machine with diecast aluminium side plates, whilst the "Super Panther Electric", introduced in 1962, was a mains electric machine. Battery powered versions were also available.

PARAGON [Anderson]

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by F.S. Anderson of Richmond, Indiana, USA.

PARAGON [Dennis]

A 1970s development of the Dennis 'Z', this was a smaller version of the "Premier" and like that mower employed a chevron cutting cylinder.

PARAGON [Greens]

A product of Greens, this was a manual roller mower c1940 designed for golf greens and small lawns.

PARAGON [Picksley Sims]

A product of Picksley, Sims & Co. of Manchester, this was a late 19th century chain-driven roller mower available in 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 & 18 inch cutting widths.

PARIS

A product of Ransomes, this was a mower made for the French market in the 1880s and sold through Decker & Mott of Paris. In 1887 it was offered on the UK market as the "New Paris", which in 1892 became the "Anglo-Paris".

PARKHOUND

An American powered sidewheel mower made by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. This was a 21 inch mower with a 1.25hp. Briggs & Stratton engine which, in September 1949, was being offered for sale at $149.50. A development of the company's "Rocket".
 

PASTIME

A late 19th century (c1896) mower made by the Pastime Lawn Mower Co. of Detroit, Michigan, USA. This was a sidewheel machine with the driving wheels set well back and the frame of the mower tapering to allow the wheel tracks to line up with the ends of the cutting cylinder; thus allowing cutting and trimming "close to fence or tree". The blades on the cutting cylinder were divided into two sets, ie not continuous.

PATENT STAR

See "Star" [John Hopwood].

PEERLESS

An American sidewheel mower, c1906, made by the Reading Hardware Co. of Reading, Pa. See also "Red Peerless". Several American manufacturers seem to have used this name, including Montgomery Ward Co.

PEGASUS

A product of Lloyds c1938, this was a powered roller mower especially made for fine turf areas. A single T-handle was fitted. The engine drove the cutting cylinder only. Production continued post-1945 and the mower was, in the 1950s, refined to become the "Super Pegasus" which had a 1hp. 4-stroke Villiers engine and a fibreglass grass box.

PELICAN

A 14 inch hand roller mower manufactured by Shanks with 6-bladed cutting cylinder, available from the late 1940s (possibly introduced 1949). Design appears to be similar to the "Lynx" and may be a domestic version. Advertisements claimed the "Pelican" was "light to handle, easy-running, this high-class roller-type mower gives lawns flawless perfection through its clean, smooth cutting action".

PENNSYLVANIA

This name mainly refers to a range of American sidewheel mowers with intermediate gear drive which was to be imported into the UK in vast numbers from the late 1870s to the 1950s making it the mower with the longest recorded production run. The original manufacturers were the Supplee Hardware Co. of Philadelphia, and the British agents from 1878 were Lloyd Lawrence & Co. which later became Lloyds of Letchworth. In 1924 these agents started manufacturing "Pennsylvania" mowers in this country. These mowers can be identified by the letters "PQ" (Pennysylvania Quality) cast into the frames. Roller mowers and pony mowers were also made under the "Pennsylvania" name, as was a 1949 bank trimmer, an 8 inch machine with a front roller, driven by a mains electric motor. The Pennsylvania "Trio" was a triple pony drawn gang mower offered by Lloyds in 1923.

PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR MOWER

See "Moto Mower".

PERFECTION [Abner]

A German mower made by Abner, c1908. This was a sidewheel machine available in 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 & 20 inch cut. Also marketed under its German name of "Perfektion".

PERFECTION [Greens]

Horse-drawn mower, available with single or double shafts or poles, for use on fairways and similar surfaces. Design has large side wheels driving mechanism to lift and lower rear-mounted cutter with seat above. Advertised as available in 1940 but design appears older.

PERFEKTION

See "Perfection".

PHILADELPHIA

An early 20th century gear-driven roller mower made by the Philadelphia Lawn Mower Co. Available in 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 & 20 inch sizes, prices in 1910 ranged from £3.4.0d to £6.19.0d.

PIANO

A range of low-noise rotary mowers marketed by Solo in the 1980s - larger version of the "Piccolo".

PICCOLO

A lightweight rotary mower marketed by Solo in the 1980s.

PILGRIM

American lawn-edger made by the Blair Manufacturing Co. (pre-1940 ?).

PILOT

A mains electric mower by Shanks, c1950, this was a 12 inch mower designed for medium size lawns. The one-quarter hp. Hoover motor drove the cutters only.

PLANTATION

A late 1930s manual sidewheel catalogue mower made in 10 & 12 inch sizes. Contained in the Thomas Plant Catalogue.

PLIMCO

A series of 1920S/30s sidewheel mowers (probably of American manufacture) retailed by J.C. Plimpton of Liverpool. These were shown in the Harrod's catalogues of the time.
 

PLUS-12

A model of Ironcrete, this was a 12 inch powered roller mower with a BSA engine made in the 1950s. It is assumed that other cutting widths also had the "Plus" prefix.

PLUS-14

A model of Ironcrete, this was a 14 inch powered roller mower with a BSA engine made in the 1950s. It is assumed that other cutting widths also had the "Plus" prefix.

POLO

A product of Suffolk, this was a rotary mower from the 1950s, replaced by the "Centaur".

PONY [Ransomes]

This, not surprisingly, was a pony mower made by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies in the late 19th century. Available in 26 and 36 inch sizes it sold for £14.0.0d & £18.0.0d respectively in 1890. Leather pony boots were offered at 25/-d and horse boots at 30/-d. This was still being offered in the firm's 1915 catalogue described as the "Patent Pony" mower.

PONY [Suffolk]

A product of Suffolk introduced in 1957, this powered roller mower was replaced by the "Colt" in 1960.

POPULAR

A product of Suffolk, this was a conventional wooden-handled sidewheel mower (c1940s?).

POPULAR TWO

A product of Greens, this was manual roller mower with 12 inch cut, retailing at £3.7.6d in 1939.

POWER LAWNMASTER

A detachable electric conversion unit (c1950) marketed by Kaysale Ltd. of Clements Lane, London.

POWERED PANTHER

See "Panther".

POWERMOW

A product of British Anzani, this was a powered roller mower with 24 inch cut, which was selling for £75 in 1963. By 1965 Mk.3 machine had power take-off for Heli-Strand flexible drive tools.

PREMIER [Dennis]

A product of Dennis Bros. of Guildford, the "Premier" was a development of the popular "Z" series but utilising a more powerful 10 hp. Blackburn engine and a "chevron" cutting cylinder; c1965.

PREMIER [Hoods]

An imported American sidewheel mower sold by Hoods of Birmingham from 1885 to 1925. This was available in 8, 10, 12, & 14 inch sizes at prices in 1900 ranging from 22/-d to 26/-d.

PREMIER [Smith & Ellis]

A British-built sidewheel mower retailed by Smith & Ellis c1929. Four sizes were offered, from 8 to 14 inch at prices ranging from 21/-d to 27/-d (grassbox 6/9d).

PRESIDENT

A late 19th century American gear-driven roller mower made by Hills, the "President" had "Archimedean"-type blades whilst the "New President" from the same stable had 3-bladed "propeller"-type cutters as opposed to the more conventional cutting cylinder. In 1891 these machines were available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch cutting sizes with prices ranging from £2.5.0d to £5.10.0d. The Dublin agents were Thomas M'Kenzie & Sons of Gt. Brunswick Street.

PRESTO

The trade name adopted by Arundel Coulthard & Co. Ltd. The roller mowers produced under this name were called "Rollmo". A range of sidewheel mowers was also produced in the 1930s, which included the basic "Presto", the "Presto De Luxe" and the "Presto-Grasmo". Colour scheme for the basic "Presto" sidewheel mower was light green, with red handle bows and gold lettering. After the take-over by Qualcast, the Presto "Rollmo" was being offered in catalogues such as Ross & Alexander under the "Panther" name.

PRESTO LORNMO

A sidewheel ball-bearing machine with 12 inch cut, manufactured by Arundel Coulthard & Co of Preston. The design incorporated 8 inch diameter wheels with "wide tread sure grip" and rubber tyres.

PRESTO ROLLMO MOTOR MOWER

A 14 inch motor mower manufactured by Arundel Coulthard & Co of Preston. The design incorporated 98cc Villiers Midget two-stroke engine, six-bladed cutting cylinder and cork plate clutch, and an oval cross-section petrol tank mounted above the engine. The overall appearance superficially similar to the "Qualcast Motor Mower".

PRINCE

A product of Greens, a manual all-steel roller mower introduced in 1929 and developed from the "Silens Messor". It was a similar machine to the "S.M. De Luxe" and was available in 10, 12 & 14 inch sizes. In 1935 prices ranged from £6.0.0d to £7.10.0d. By this date the grass box was not ribbed, as in earlier machines.

PRINCESS

A product of Flymo, this was a mains electric 15 inch rotary mower (not a hover) with a grass box and roller drive, c1975.

PRO

An American 7-blade 16 inch sidewheel mower made by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. in the late-1940s. In September 1949 this mower was priced at $26.95.

PROFESSIONAL

A product of Suffolk in the late 1950s, this was a conventional powered roller mower for fine turf areas with a 10-blade cutting cylinder. By 1963 the 17 inch model was retailing at £45.19.6d.

PROPHET

An American sidewheel mower made in 1925 by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Company.

PUNCH

A product of Suffolk introduced in 1953 and one of the most popular post-war powered roller mowers. Powered by a 50cc Suffolk two-stroke engine the original "Punch" with its horse's head logo, had dual drive added by 1956, in which year the "Super Punch" and "Super Punch Professional" were also introduced to the range. Four models of the "Punch" were in production by 1969, and the "Super Punch" was still in production in 1975.

PYGMALION

A catalogue mower made by Coldwell. Some models also bear the word "Leeds".

Q

A motorised version of the Qualcast "Panther" c1955.

Q30

A manual sidewheel mower by Qualcast which replaced the Q7 in 1980, this had a rear-mounted grass collector instead of the traditional front-mounted grass box.

Q7

A manual sidewheel mower by Qualcast which replaced the B1 in 1973.

QUAKER CITY

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower made by the Supplee Hardware Co. of Philadelphia and imported by Lloyd Lawrence & Co. Offered concurrently with the "Pennsylvania" in the 1890s.

QUALCAST MOTOR MOWER

The Qualcast Motor Mower was introduced in the mid 1930s, possibly as early as 1935, manufactured by Qualcast. The design featured a 16 inch cut, 98cc Villiers Midget two-stroke engine, cast iron side frames, and handle-start. The cork plate clutch - at one end of the rear roller - was activated by a lever on the handles pulling a cable. Early designs had a single large sprocket on the end of the roller which meant that the cutter rotated whenever the engine was running: later models had two adjacent sprockets so that the cutter only turned when the clutch was engaged. Early designs also had the petrol tank mounted on the mid-spar of the handles whereas later (usually post World War 2) models had the tank mounted above the engine. Another difference on earlier models was the use of a single, central adjuster on the thrower plate - to enable the blade to adjust to the reel - whereas later models had two adjusters, one at either end. Although officially called the Qualcast Motor Mower by the manufacturer contemporary to production, the model is often referred to as the "Qualcast Sixteen" by collectors and enthusiasts. The design of the mower is superficially similar to the "Presto-Rollmo Motor Mower" and other slightly later machines.

QUALCAST SIXTEEN

See "Qualcast Motor Mower".

QUEEN

A product of the Granite State Mowing Machine Co. of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, USA, this was a sidewheel mower c1906.

QUEEN CITY

A product of the Australian firm Scott Bonnar of Adelaide, the "Queen City" was normally powered by an electric motor but batches were made during World War 2 with a Buzacott hopper-cooled petrol engine similar to the British Lister "D", presumably because of wartime shortages.

QUIETFLITE

A product of Lawn-Boy, this was marketed with emphasis on its low noise capability. It was a rotary mower with an 87cc 2-stroke engine which was totally enclosed in a fibreglass cover. In 1963 the 19 inch model sold for £41.10.0d.

R

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, the "R" series were a range of large mowers, mainly with Sturmey Archer engines, introduced in the late 1930s and continued post-1945. Made for the professional market they were the Ransomes equivalent of the Dennis "Z" type.

RACINE

An American sidewheel mower made by the Lawson Mfg. Co. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, c1888. This, like the "Richmond Star", was an asymmetrical mower driving through the right-hand wheel only, the theory being that the "idle" left-hand wheel allowed a closer cut to the lawn edges The handle was offset to the right, presumably to stop the mower going round in circles.

RAJAH

A product of Shanks in the 1920s, this was a 24 inch mower with a four-stroke J.A.P. engine. This name was also used by Coldwell.

RANGER

A range of gang mowers by Greens, c1965.

RAPID TRANSIT

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower made by the Supplee Hardware Co. of Philadelphia.

RAPIER

A four-wheel rotary mower marketed by Farmfitters Ltd. of Gerards Cross in the 1950s/60s. In 1962 the "Rapier" retailed for £11.0.0d. Originally a Vincent engine was fitted but later models had Clinton Panther and Briggs & Stratton engines. One Vincent-engined example bears the serial number 106109. It is understood that Farmfitters made the carcass of the machine.

RAZOR BLADE

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by the American F & N Lawn Mower Co. Available in sizes from 10 to 18 inches.

READING

American ball-bearing sidewheel mower made by the Reading Hardware Co.

RED PEERLESS

An early 20th century American 3-blade sidewheel mower marketed by Butler Bros. Chicago, USA, c.1910. Probably a product of the Reading Hardware Co. (see also "Peerless").

RELIABLE

The "Reliable" was a roller mower made by Ratcliffe of New Holland in Essex. An example with 14" cut is known. The design is similar - but not identical - to the "Silens Messor". Augmentations to the Silens Messor design include ball bearings on the cutter and roller, rather than brass bushes, roller chain and metallic front rollers. 

REPUBLIC

A sidewheel mower marketed by the Brussels agent John H Graham c1920. An American import.

REVERSIBLE

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Head and later Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, this was gear-driven roller mower first made in the 1870s. The machine was similar to others of the period but had a "T"-handle. The name derived from the ability to reverse the cutting cylinder when the blades were worn on one side. This was a small machine designed for small gardens and borders, available in 6 and 8 inch cutting widths.

REX

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by W.E. Lape of Syracuse, New York. A smaller version was marketed as the "Rex Junior" and advertised as "the legitimate offspring of the "Rex". The "Rex" was available in 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 & 25 inch sizes, and the "Rex Junior" in 12, 14 & 16 inches; the main difference between the two mowers being the diameter of the drive wheels.

REX JUNIOR

See "Rex".

REXMOW

A product of Scott Bonnar (Australia) c.1936, this was a sidewheel mower made until the 1950s. The price in the 1936 McPhersons catalogue was £6 (Australian) for the 16 inch version.

RICHMOND STAR

An American asymmetrical sidewheel mower made by Dille & McGuire of Richmond, Indiana, USA. Patented in 1885, this had one driving wheel on the left and a narrow "idle" wheel on the right. The "T"-handle was offset to the left, unlike the later "Racine" which had the handle offset to the right. In 1888 this mower was available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch widths, with prices ranging from 60/-d to 80/-d.

RIDAMOW

A product of British Anzani, this was a 24 inch 4-stroke roller mower with a seat mounted on a quickly-detachable tubular framing. Details of the machine are contained in the firm's 1965 catalogue, and it was probably intended to be an eventual replacement for the "Lawnrider".

RIDERMOW

A product of Mountfield, this was a 1970s ride-on mower available in a variety of models differing in engine size, cutting width etc.

RIGHTOWAY

An American powered sidewheel mower, c.1950, made by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. This was a 30 inch mower with a 2hp. Briggs & Stratton engine which was offered as a larger version of the "Rolloway".

RIO GRANDE

A product of The Eclipse Lawn Mower Co., (early 20th century onwards) this sidewheel mower with the Adams self-sharpening device was similar to, and marketed alongside, the "Lady" and the "Mid West".

RIPPER

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, this was a manual sidewheel mower introduced in 1947 and made especially for longer grass. The Mark 1 was replaced by the Mark 2 in 1963 and the "Ripper" remained in production until 1974. With a stout tubular steel handle and rubber wheels as an optional extra, this proved to be a popular mower in small orchards etc until the introduction of the power driven rotaries. Most "Rippers" seem to have been sold without grass boxes or deflector plates.

RIVAL

An American sidewheel mower, c1891, a product of Chadborn & Coldwell.

ROCKET

A powered sidewheel mower made by The Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. of Prophetstown, Illinois, introduced in 1937 and utilising many of their manual mower components, this was advertised as being the first powered mower made for the small garden (a somewhat dubious claim). By September 1949 three versions of the "Rocket" were being offered (I) rope start at $114.50 (2) recoil start at $119.50 and (3) "Hi-Cut" at $124.50.

ROLLER

A late 19th century gear-driven roller mower made by Follows & Bate, available in 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 & 20 inch widths.

ROLLMO

A product of Arundel, Coulthard & Co. introduced in the mid-1930s and remaining in production for some years, these were a range of roller mowers, both manual and powered. The powered version had a 98cc Villiers engine and sold for £17.10.0d in 1937, whilst the manual 12 inch "6-24" sold for 75/-d in the same year. By 1939 four manual mowers were on offer (the 5-15, 6-18, 6-24 and 8-32) in addition to the powered mower. In these manual machines, the first number indicated the number of blades on the cutting cylinder and the second the number of cutting cylinder revolutions per foot of travel. After the post-war take-over of the firm by Qualcast the "Rollmo" was advertised in catalogues such as Ross & Alexander under the "Panther" name.

ROLLOWAY

An American powered sidewheel mower made by the Eclipse Lawnmower Co., this was a 25 inch mower with a 2hp. Briggs & Stratton engine which, in September 1949, sold for $249.50.

ROTA MINI

A product of Qualcast introduced in 1970, this was the first mains electric rotary mower by that company.

ROTA MO

A product of Qualcast, this was a 14 inch mains electric rotary mower. Originally with a front-mounted grass box, the "Rota Mo 360" was redesigned with a rear grass box in 1974 and re-named "Jetstream".

ROTA-SAFE

A product of Qualcast, this was a 12 inch rotary mower from the 1980s with a child-proof safety switch and plastic blades.

ROTACUT

A product of Qualcast, this was a range of rotary mowers introduced in 1957 and continued into the 1960s with a wide range of engines and cutting widths eg the Mk. IV was identical in all respects to the Suffolk "Centaur".

ROTARY SICKLE

A rotary mower made by John Allen from the mid-1950s, this was an attractively streamlined machine with two large pneumatic rear wheels and two smaller front wheels. Early versions were manually propelled but the later ones were self-propelled. A four-bladed version was introduced in 1960.

ROTOMO

A product of Barfords of Belton, this was an 18 inch rotary mower with a 98cc two-stroke engine, c1963.

ROTOMOW

A range of Italian designed rotary mowers marketed in the UK in the 1960s, these were available with either petrol engines or mains electric motors. Both models had trailing grass boxes.

ROTOSCYTHE

A product of Power Specialities Ltd. of Maidenhead (later Slough), the "Rotoscythe" was the world's first rotary lawnmower, being introduced in 1933 from a design by David Cockburn. Cutting was by a rotary impeller with cutting discs, and the cut grass was driven into the rear-mounted grass box. Pre-war "Rotoscythes" were available with 14, 16, and 20 inch cut, as well a special long grass pram-wheeled 18 inch version. Post-war the company produced the "Rotoscythe 16", as a more streamlined version of its pre-war machine. This had Power Specialities' own 120cc engine and sold for £38.15.0d (plus P.T.) in 1949. After 1952 when Power Specialities Ltd. had been acquired by J.E. Shay, the "Rotoscythe 16" and its variants, the "Windsor" and the "Eton", continued in production and the basic design was continued by Wolseley-Webb into the 1970s.

ROUGHCUT

Originally a sidewheel mower by Greens intended for long rough grass, bents, etc. Available in 16 inch width only the price in 1935 was £5.10.0d (grass box and delivery plate extra) . By the mid-1950s however Greens were making a "Motor Roughcut" which they advertised as a "go anywhere" machine. This had wheels instead of rear rollers and rotatable front wheels on the "supermarket trolley" principle.

ROWLETT'S CHAMPION

See Champion Mfg. Co.

ROYAL BENGAL

See "Royal" [USA].

ROYAL BLADE

A product of Qualcast, this was a 14 inch. petrol engined roller mower introduced in 1954 and continued into the mid-1960s as the "Royal Blade De Luxe". A distinguishing feature of this model was the shaped petrol tank which was curved to fit around the crankshaft.

ROYAL [Greens]

A product of Greens, c1877, this was a sidewheel mower with an iron "T"-handle, available in 6, 8, 10, 12 & 14 inch widths.

ROYAL [Marples]

A sidewheel mower offered by Marples of Sheffield c1903. Possibly a catalogue mower, or an American import.

ROYAL [Townsend]

An early-20th century sidewheel mower made by the American firm of Townsend, also manufactured under licence by the Thomas Mfg. Co. of St. Louis, USA.

ROYAL [USA]

Late 19th/early 20th century sidewheel mowers imported into India from America. The Calcutta agents, W. Leslie & Co., also advertised a "Royal Bengal" mower from the same manufacturer. Available in 10, 14, 16, 18, & 20 inch sizes, Indian prices in 1902 ranged from 22.8 to 45 rupees.

ROYALE

A product of ATCO, this was a powered roller mower with a ride-on seat introduced in 1995.

RUNAWAY

A product of Follows & Bate, this was a manual sidewheel machine introduced in 1893 and which set the pattern for most sidewheel mowers for the next 50 years or so. Available in 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, & 21 inch cut, this machine sold at prices ranging in 1897 from 38/6d to 120/-d. The rubber-tyred version was slightly more expensive, and grass boxes and deflector plates were optional extras.

RUNLIGHT EAGLE

An American catalogue mower retailed by Geo. Whalley & Co., Eagle Works, Keighley, c1900. This sidewheel mower was available in 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 & 18 inch sizes at prices from 18/-d in 1903.

S.M. DE LUXE

A 1930s development of Green's "Silens Messor", this is distinguishable from the parent machine by the more rectangular scraper plate and streamlined chain cover. Prices in 1935 ranged from £11.15.0d to £15.0.0d and included the grass box and transporting carriage (with 'pram-type wheels) . Cutting widths varied between 12 & 18 inches and a range of cutting cylinders (6, 8 or 10 blade) were available.

S.M. JUNIOR

A product of Greens, this was a manual roller mower with a 12 inch cut retailing for £4.14.6d in 1939. The price included the grass box and a grease gun. Although a gear-driven mower, the straight rather angular handles revealed its "Silens Messor" origins.

SABRE

A product of Westwood, this was a 1970s rotary mower with a 19 inch cut and a trailing polythene grass catcher.

SAMSON (The)

A  U.S.A. made sidewheel mower imported and retailed by J.Salmon and Son Ltd. of North London and branches. Most of these machines probably date from the 1930's and have an unusual fixing for the rear roller. At the time of writing ( Jan. '21 ) the actual manufacturer is unknown.

SCAMP

A "Lawn-Boy" rotary mower made by NJB Mowers Ltd. of Downham Market, Norfolk, in the 1980s.

SCIMITAR

A range of rotary mowers made by Pressure Jet Markers of London in the 1960s. The smallest of these had an 8 inch cutting head whilst the largest, the "Scimitar Major" had an 18 inch cut.

SCIMITAR MAJOR

See "Scimitar".

SCOT

An early 20th century product of Shanks, this was a manual sidewheel machine typical of the period and a cheaper version of the "Britisher". By 1939 it was being offered in 10, 12, & 14 inch sizes.

SELFRIDGE SUPER

A sidewheel mower made for the London stores of that name by Suffolk Iron Foundry c.1938. This was a conventional T-handled machine with a blue and red colour scheme.

SENATOR

A product of Hayter, the "Senator" was a powered mower for the professional market. This high quality machine with its 8 hp. Kohler engine replaced the "Condor" in 1980.

SENIOR

A product of Samuelson, c1880, this was a roller mower not unlike the "Silens Messor" to which a star-shaped edger could be fitted. Available in 10, 12, 14, 16, 19 & 22 inch cutting widths, the "Senior" sold from

SEXTON

A Panther-engined three-wheeled grass cutter and trimmer designed to fit the requirements of the City of London cemeteries. Marketed by Farmfitters Ltd. in the 1960s. In 1962 the "Sexton" retailed for

SHAMROCK

An American "Archimedean"-style sidewheel mower imported into Ireland through John Parkes of Dublin, c1883. Available in 12, 14, 16 & 18 inch cutting widths, prices ranged from

SHINGLER (Suffolk)

An edge cutter made by Suffolk Iron Foundries.

SIDEWHEELER

A 24 inch powered sidewheel mower by ATCO with a 120cc 4-stroke engine. In 1963 this sold for this sold for £62.0.0d, making it more expensive than the contemporary “Antelope”.

SILENS MESSOR

(Silent Cutter). A product of Greens from 1859 to the mid-1930s. This mower was produced at a time when gear drives were excessively noisy and the 'Silens Messor', being a chain-driven machine, had a distinct advantage in this respect. This was a manual roller mower which underwent several changes in design during its long production span. Manual machines were available in 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 24 inch sizes, all but the very smallest machines having provision for a draw rope. Early models had curved handles, and later ones straight handles. Other more detailed features can provide a more accurate dating. The "Silens Messor High Wheel" was a mower for golf courses, whilst pony mower variants came in 30 inch sizes and above. These latter machines (available well into the 1920s) were scaled-up versions of the manual mowers but had dog clutches on the rear rollers and a chain and sprocket mechanism for raising and tipping the grass box.

SILVER COMET

A product of Shanks, this was a chain-driven roller mower, c1950s, with a tubular steel "pram" handle.

SIMPLEES

A re-naming of their "Sunbeam", this was a 14"/16" powered mower by J.P. in production from 1964 to 1970, and from 1970 to 1971 as the "Simplees B".

SIMPLEX

A motor conversion unit produced by Small Engines Ltd. of Birmingham.

SINGER

Hand mower produced by the Eureka Planter Company.

SLASHER

A 1930s product of Shanks, this was a long grass sidewheel mower with an 'A'-frame handle and 15 inch cut. In 1939 it was priced at

SMISTOL

A manual sidewheel machine marketed by J. Smith & Co. of Bristol in the early 1930s, this was a catalogue mower made by Suffolk. It came in 8, 10, 12 & 14 inch sizes and retailed at 18/6d, 20/6d, 22/6d and 25/6d respectively. The grass box was an extra.

SNIPE

A manual sidewheel mower with 7 inch diameter wheels. A product of Dronsfield Brothers Ltd. of Oldham, the "Snipe" was available with 10 and 12 inch cut, selling in 1938 at 29/6d and 30/6d respectively.

SOVEREIGN

An American manual sidewheel machine (early 20th century) made by Stearns. Many were supplied via Canada to avoid import taxes. See also "Star-Sovereign".

SPECIAL

See "Army & Navy".

SPECIAL CALEDONIA

 See Caledonia [Shanks].

SPECIAL PONY

A range of early 20th century pony mowers by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies designed for golf "roughs". The conventional front rollers were replaced by a series of discs which it was felt were kinder on the turf. By 1915 these were being offered in 26 and 30 inch sizes at prices ranging from £19.0.0d to £25.10.0d.

SPECIAL ROLLER

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, this was an early 20th century gear-driven manual roller mower designed for fine turf areas. In 1915 this was being offered in 14 and 16 inch sizes at £5.10.0d and £6.5.0d respectively.

SPECIAL [Eureka Planter Company]

Hand mower produced by the Eureka Planter Company.

SPECIALIST

A 1950s product of ATCO, this was a fine turf mower with a 10-bladed cutting cylinder and a 150cc engine. By 1963 this 20 inch mower was selling for £85.0.0d.

SPEED-WELL

See "Speedwell".

SPEEDSCYTHE

A New Zealand-built rotary mower with a Villiers engine, c1955.

SPEEDWAY

An American powered sidewheel mower made by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co., this was a 32 inch mower with a 3.5hp. Briggs & Stratton engine which, In September 1949, sold for $375 making it the most expensive of that company's machines.

SPEEDWELL

A product of Follows & Bate, c1896. This was a manual sidewheel mower with a trailing canvas-sided grass box. It was available in 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17 inch sizes (1897 advertisements) at wholesale prices ranging from 28/-d to 40/-d. The "Speedwell" was still being offered for sale in the 1920s, and as late as 1929 by wholesalers such as the Army & Navy stores. NOTE: Some early references use the hyphenated "Speed-Well" name but others use "Speedwell".

SPEEDY

A sidewheel mower marketed by the Brussels importers of John H. Graham (probably an American import) c1920.

SPEEDY [Eureka Planter Company]

Sidewheel hand mower produced by the Eureka Planter Company. This model may be the same as the Speedy offered for sale by the Brussels importers of John H. Graham in the early 1920s.

SPINNEY

The name under which Littlewoods retailed the Follows & Bate "Magic" all-steel sidewheel mower.

SPLENDID

A sidewheel mower made by Philadelphia in 1887 in 12, 14, & 16-inch sizes.

SPRINTMASTER

A product of Flymo, this was a mains electric rotary mower introduced in 1985 which returned the smaller grass cuttings to the lawn whilst retaining the larger cuttings in the grass box.

SPRITE

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, this was a 1950s powered roller mower with 14 inch cut and a 34cc Villiers engine. It was discontinued in 1964. A mains electric version was also available.

SQUIRE

A product of Suffolk, this was a four-stroke sidewheel mower introduced in 1957. Production ended c1969.

SQUIRE CORPORATION

A product of Suffolk, this was introduced as a heavy duty version of the "Squire" in 1957. In 1960 it was re-named the "Corporation" under which name it was phased out in the late 1960s.

STANDARD [Atco]

A product of ATCO (Charles Pugh Ltd.), this was a series of open-frame powered roller mowers made between 1921 and 1933. These were the first mass-produced motor mower for the smaller garden and were available in sizes from 12 inch (the "HY" variant) to 36 inch. Sizes up to 22 inch had Villiers two-stroke engines, while larger models had JAP four-stroke engines. Very early (1921/22) "Standards" can be identified by their frames which are oval in cross-section compared with the later "H"-section frames. Early machines had the Senspray carburettor rather than the later ATCO-Villiers unit, but as the former were very often changed during the life of a mower this cannot be taken as a hard and fast dating feature. These remain a popular mower with collectors, due in part to the very large number made.

STANDARD [Emerson, Talcott & Co]

Wide-cut mowers made by Emerson, Talcott & Co., Rockford, Illinois (USA), late 19th century.

STANDARD [F&N]

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by the American F & N Lawn Mower Co.

STAR [Curtis]

See Curtis Cultivator Co.

STAR [John Hopwood]

An 1870s mower patented by John Hopwood of Great Moor, Stockport, also referred to as the "Patent Star". This was a gear-driven roller machine with prominent star-wheels (options for one or two) providing the drive between the roller and the cutting cylinder. Available in sizes ranging from 12 to 28 inches.

STAR [Landers, Frary & Clark]

A small sidewheel mower made by the American firm Landers, Frary, & Clark, c1871. The solid drive wheels had a large star cast into them.

STAR [Ransomes]

An early 20th century product of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, this was a sidewheel mower designed for fine turf areas. With a 6-bladed cutting cylinder the "Star" was available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes in 1915 with prices ranging from £2.15.0d to £4.12.0d.

STAR-SOVEREIGN

An early-20th century Canadian-built sidewheel mower. In 1914 this was being offered by Jas. Shoolbred & Co. (London) in three sizes at prices ranging from 12/6d to 14/6d. This was a 5-blade mower with 8 inch diameter driving wheels. The manufacturer was probably Stearns.

STEARNS

See Stearns, E.C.

STOIC

A product of Landmaster, this was a 19 inch petrol-engined rotary mower first introduced in the 1960s and continued under the Wolseley Webb name after that firm acquired Landmaster in 1980.

STUDLEY ROYAL

A pony mower by Parkinson of Ripon, late 19th/early 20th century.

SULKY

A name used by Greens, c1935, to describe their horse-drawn ride-on gang mower intended for golf courses. The name is derived from the American light two-wheeled carriage which it somewhat resembled. The price in 1935 for the basic mower and one 30 inch unit was £42.10.0d.

SUNBEAM [Foos]

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by the G.S. Foos Co. of Springfield, Ohio, USA. Other products from the same stable include the "Columbia", "Favorite", "Florence", and "Standard".

SUNBEAM [JP]

A 1960s product of J.P., this was a powered roller mower with a two-stroke engine. Introduced in 1963, the name was changed to "Simplees" the following year.

SUPER CERTES

See "Certes".

SUPER CLIPPER [Atco]

A product of ATCO, this was a 14 and 16 inch sidewheel mower which appeared in that firm's catalogue in 1989. By that time Suffolk and ATCO had amalgamated.

SUPER CLIPPER [Suffolk]

See: CLIPPER [SUFFOLK]

SUPER COLT

See "Colt".

SUPER ELECTRIC

A product of JP 1949 to 1963, this was made in three sizes, 12, 14, & 16-inch., not all of them lasting for the full production cycle.

SUPER JETCUT

See "Jetcut".

SUPER PANTHER

See "Panther".

SUPER PEGASUS

See "Pegasus".

SUPER PUNCH

See "Punch".

SUPER PUNCH PROFESSIONAL

See "Punch".

SUPER SEVEN

A product of Qualcast, this was a 7-blade sidewheel mower advertised in Australia as being "specially for English grasses", c1937.

SUPER SIMPLEX

A high quality motor roller mower made by J.P. in the 1940s, 50s & 60s to a pre-war design. These had a Villiers 2-stroke engine and are distinguishable by the oval fuel tank mounted on the handlebar cross members. See also "Super" [J.P.].

SUPER SPECIAL

See "Super" [J.P.].

SUPER SWIFT

A product of Suffolk, this was a 12 inch manual roller mower made immediately after World War 2.

SUPER [Hayn]

A 12 inch manual roller mower in the "Hayn" range by Nutt Eng. Co. Ltd. (1950s/60s). A 10 inch version was the "Gem".

SUPER [JP]

A range of mowers by J.P. designed in the 1920s and continuing in production until 1961.These included 12, 14 & 16 inch manual roller mowers and the "Super Special" high-quality 16 inch manual roller mower. The "Super 16" and the "Super 24" were Villiers-engined motor mowers and the forerunners of the post-war "Super Simplex" range. In the 1950s 17 and 20 inch powered mowers in this range were being offered at £96.10.0d and £120.0.0d respectively.

SUPERBE

A 1950s product of Suffolk, this was a 12 inch 5-blade sidewheel machine with tubular handles and rubber-tyred wheels. It was offered as Gift No.1069 by Kensitas cigarettes, for which one required 2400 coupons.

SUPERLITE PANTHER

See "Panther".

SUPREME

A product of Greens in the 1920s/30s, this was manual roller mower developed from the "Silens Messor" and retaining that model's angular handles and ribbed grass box. Available in 10, 12, 14, 16 & 18 inch sizes, the prices in 1935 ranged from £7.10.0d to £13.0.0d.

SWALLOW [Dennis]

A 27-inch heavy-duty rotary mower made by Dennis.

SWALLOW [Dronsfield]

A product of D.B. of Oldham, c1936, this was a manual roller mower with a 12 inch cut retailing at 69/6d.

SWAN NECK

A name sometimes given by collectors to the Anzani "Lawnrider" because of its distinctive shape.

SWIFT [Dennis]

A 1960s product of Dennis, this was a 20 inch cut rotary machine of which about 1000 are believed to have been made. The bed of the machine was wedge-shaped, the rear wheels having a narrower track than the smaller front ones. First introduced in 1963, the "Swift" was still in production in 1967.

SWIFT [O'Brien Thomas]

An early 20th century sidewheel mower imported into Britain by O'Brien Thomas & Co. of London and bearing their name - probably an American catalogue mower. This was available in 10, 12, 14, 16 & 18 inch sizes with prices in 1901 ranging from 30/- to 38/-d (grass box extra).

SWIFT [Suffolk]

A product of Suffolk, this was a 10 inch roller mower made immediately after World War 2. This and the "Super Swift" were still being made when the company joined the Qualcast Group in 1958.

TALISMAN

A product of Shanks, the 'Talisman" was basically a copy of the American Pennsylvania sidewheel machine. This was available in 10 to 19 inch sizes with prices in 1910 ranging from £2.15.0d to £6.15.0d. By 1939 it was being offered in 13, 15 & 17 inch sizes at prices ranging from £8.10.0d to £10.10.0d (grass box and delivery plate extra).

TENNIS

A gear-driven roller mower made by Follows & Bate, c1880, with curved handles and grass box. This resembled Ransomes machines of the same period. A chain-driven version was known as the "Chain Tennis". This latter was also supplied to the Army & Navy stores as the "Auxiliary" and the "Victoria".

THISTLE

A 1930s product of Shanks, this was a manual roller mower in the medium price range. By 1939 the "Thistle" was being offered in 12 and 14 inch-sizes at £5.10.0d and £5.0.0d respectively. A cheaper version of the "Eagle".

TOM TIT

A cheaply made sidewheel mower by Alexander Shanks and Co, Ltd. Believed to date around 1950 and although a few known to exist it does not seem to be listed in a catalogue and was not officially produced.

TONDIX

A small French 1950s all-steel roller mower (manufacturer unknown). One known example in the UK has a 25cm cut 4-bladed cylinder and is orange in colour. The word "Tondix" comes from the French word "tondeuse" (lawnmower).

TORNADO

A streamlined reciprocating-knife mower made in the USA by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. With its 2hp. Briggs & Stratton engine the "Tornado 700" sold in September 1949 for $185.

TORPEDO

A 1930s American sidewheel mower made by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. This was a similar mower to the "Rio Grande".

TOUGHCUT

A product of ATCO, this was a powered sidewheel mower similar to the Ransomes "Antelope".

TOURNAMENT TRIPLEX

A 1970s product of the American firm Hahn and also by Ransomes who modified and subsequently produced it themselves. The mower was renamed the "Triplex 171" in 1980. Transmission to the rear wheels was hydrostatic giving a wide range of forward and reverse speeds. The machine was used mainly on golf courses.

TRIO

See "Pennsylvania Trio".

TRIPLE

A Ransomes triple-pony drawn gang mower with an 84 inch cut, offered for sale in 1923.

TRIPLE LYNX

Introduced in 1949, this gang mower by Shanks consisted of three "Lynx" mowers pulled by a tractor unit with large-section pneumatic tyres. Each of the mower units had its own grass box. Total cutting width was 42 inches.

TRIPLEX 171

See "Tournament Triplex".

TRIUMPH

A product of Shanks, 1920s/30s, the "Triumph" was a horse drawn mower for golf courses similar to the Ransomes "Ideal" and employing a similar method of raising and lowering the height of the cutting unit. By 1939 the 36 inch "Triumph" was being offered at £65.0.0d. Normally it was sold with horse shafts, but a tractor drawbar or a whippletree (aka “whiffletree”) for oxen was also available.

TROJAN

An early 20th-century sidewheel mower of conventional design. Could be a catalogue mower or a US import ?

TURBO COMPACT

A product of Flymo, this was a streamlined mains electric rotary mower introduced in 1994.

TUTOR

A sidewheel mower from Greens (1940s/50s).

TWO SPEED

A 12 inch hand roller mower manufactured by Webb in the 1950s. The design featured low and high gears, selected using a simple lever on the chassis, that enabled two different cuts-per-inch at the same walking pace.

TWT

Initials found on a range of gardening items, including the "Gordon" mower, retailed by Timothy White Taylors, the British pharmaceutical and hardware company.

TYKE

A product of Greens, the "Tyke" was advertised in 1939 as the lowest priced ball-bearing mower. It was a manual sidewheel machine available in 10, 12 and 14 inch cutting widths and retailed at £2.1.3d upwards, the grass box being extra.

TYPHOON

A product of Ransomes, this was a 18 inch rotary mower introduced in 1961 as a replacement for the "Cyclone". Available with either a 2-stroke or 4-stroke engine, the "Typhoon" was replaced by the 4-stroke "Typhoon Major" in 1962. This latter machine remained in production until 1969.

TYPHOON MAJOR

See "Typhoon".

ULTRA

A late 1930s product of Greens similar the "Utility".

UNIVERSAL [Bentall]

A mower made by the Essex (Heybridge) firm of E.H. Bentall c1889. This was a sidewheel machine utilising the American principle of four front wheels or driving rolls in front of the cutting cylinder. Advertised in 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, & 20 inch sizes, prices in 1889 ranged from £3.5.0d to £8.0.0d. The two largest sizes were intended for two-man operation.

UNIVERSAL [Blair]

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower made by the Blair Mfg. Co. Available in 10, 12, 14 & 16 inch sizes.

UNIVERSAL [Universal]

See Universal Lawn Mower Co.

UTILITY

A product of Greens, this was a low-cost sidewheel mower available in 10, 12 & 14 inch widths with prices in 1935 ranging from 1.11.6d to £1.17.6d. Optional extras included grass box and delivery plates and an extra long 'T' handle.

VALOR [Ironcrete]

A range of mowers made by the agricultural equipment firm Ironcrete. By 1968 a BSA-powered "Valor" cylinder mower with a 65cc engine was available in 12 and 14 inch sizes (advertised as "Plus-12" and "Plus-14") at prices of £29.7.6d and £36.19.0d respectively. Perhaps a reader can say if this mower was anything to do with the French company.

VANTAGE

A product of DAP of Dudley, the "Vantage" was a lightweight manual wheeled machine which, because of its alloy construction appears to date from the post-1945 period. The inside-frame wheels, instead of the more conventional roller, give it a substantially American appearance.

VELDT

A late 19th century sidewheel mower (probably an American import) sold by Buchanan & Wilson of Old Wynd, Glasgow. Available in 10, 12, 14, & 16 inch sizes.

VELOCITY

British made roller and sidewheel machines made in the 1940s. The sidewheel mower was a high-wheel version of the Follows & Bate "Magic". Circa 1950 the London retailers Ross & Alexander were advertising the sidewheel "Velocity" in two versions, 10 inch and 12 inch, at 24/-d and 25/6d respectively (grass box and delivery plate extra).

VERGE CUTTER

A post-1945 powered sidewheel mower by Lloyds similar to the pre-war "Moto-Mower", available in 21 and 27 inch widths.

VERGEMASTER

A three-wheeled mains electric verge cutting machine made by Tarpen Engineering in the mid-1950s. A reciprocating knife machine, the "Vergemaster" was a more sophisticated version of the "Grassmaster" which was designed for rough grass and weeds.

VICEROY

A product of Suffolk, this was a manual sidewheel mower which replaced the "Super Clipper".

VICTOR [Crowley]

A product of John Crowley & Co. of Sheffield, this was a late 19th century sidewheel machine patented by Samuel Edwards. Available in 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, & 18 inch sizes, the "Victor" could be supplied with either a "T"-handle or twin handles. The grass box could be positioned either at the front or at the rear of the cutting cylinder.

VICTOR [Pierce]

A product of Pierce of Wexford (Eire), this was introduced in 1930 as a fine-turf version of the "Hector" sidewheel mower.

VICTORIA [Europe]

A sidewheel mower marketed in western Europe c1920 in 10,12,14, & 16-inch sizes. It is not known whether this was the same as the mower mentioned elsewhere.

VICTORIA [Follows & Bate]

The new "Victoria" lawn mower was a sidewheel design manufactured by Follows and Bate of Manchester. In 1889 it was listed as being available in 9 inch (priced 28s including grass box), 11 inch (32s 6d), 13 inch (38s) and 15 inch (46s) models.

VICTORIA [Follows & Bate]

A product of Follows & Bate, the "Victoria" was a 10 inch. manual roller mower c1885 made specifically for the Army & Navy stores in Victoria Street, London, and identical to the "Chain Tennis" machine. In 1889 this was available in 9, 11, 13 & 15 inch sizes at prices ranging from 28/-d to 46/-d. By the 1920s this was selling as the "Army & Navy". By 1907 the Army & Navy Stores were offering a range of "Victoria" roller mowers, including pony and horse machines, at sizes ranging from 8 inch to 48 inch widths and at prices from 40I-d to £26.10.0d as well as a “Victoria” sidewheel mower offered in 8,10,12, & 14 inch sizes at prices from 19/-d to 60/-d (this included a lightweight version).

VICTORIA [Hartley & Sugden]

A late 19th century chain-driven roller mower made by Hartley & Sugden. Available in 10, 12, 14, 16 & 18, 20 and 22 inch sizes, prices in 1876 ranged from £3.10.0d to £9.0.0d.

VICTORY

An early 20th century sidewheel mower by Townsend, USA.

VILLA [Parkinson]

A product of Parkinson of Ripon 1875-85, this was a small roller mower with front guide wheels and a metal "T" handle.

VILLA [Samuelson]

A product of Samuelson, this was a manual sidewheel machine similar to the "Favorite" c1880. In 1888 this was available in 9, 12 & 15 inch sizes at prices from £2.2.0d to £3.10.0d.

VOGUE

A late-1940s American sidewheel mower made by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. In September 1949 this was available in 16 & 18 inch sizes at a price of $21.95 and $23.50 respectively.

W.H.F.

See Fagan, W.H.

WARWICKSHIRE

A sidewheel mower, c1890, marketed by Matterson, Huxley & Watson of Coventry. This was available in 10, 12, 14, 16, & 18 inch sizes with prices ranging from 25/-d to 36/-d.

WASP

A product of Webb , the "Wasp" was introduced shortly after the "De Luxe" in 1929. This manual roller mower sold at £2.15.9d in 1939 and continued in production until 1988.

WAVERLEY

A gear-driven sidewheel mower sold by A. Ballach & Sons of Leith, c1910. This was available in 12, 14, 16, 18 & 20 inch sizes with prices ranging from £4.15.0d to £8.10.0d. The “T”-handle was marked “Ballach's Waverley”.

WAYNE

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower made by F.S. Anderson of Richmond, Indiana.

WELCOME

A sidewheel mower marketed in western Europe c1920, probably an American import.

WESTFIELD

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower made by the Supplee Hardware Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (later the Pennsylvania Lawn Mower Co.).

WHIPPET

A product of Webb, the "Whippet" manual roller mower sold at £2.13.6d in 1939 and continued in production until the 1970s. This was a 10 inch machine regarded as a lightweight machine for ladies.

WHISPA

A product of British Anzani c1965, this was a 14 inch battery powered roller mower with a built-in battery charger.

WHITELEY

An American sidewheel mower, c1893, this was advertised as a "spiral gear noiseless" machine. The manufacturers could have been Wilson, Whiteley & Co. of Springfield, Ohio.

WILLIAM

An early 20th century sidewheel mower made by the Philadelphia Lawn Mower Co., this was available in 10, 12, 14, & 16 inch sizes with prices in 1910 ranging from £1.3.0d to £1.13.6d - grass box extra.

WILLING WORKER

A name given by Drummond Bros. of Guildford to a wide range of machinery of their manufacture, including lathes. These included both powered and manual roller mowers in the late 1920s and 1930s. The manual mowers were available in 10 & 12 inch sizes, and colour schemes varied between early and late machines. A lightweight manual machine was known as "The Ladies" mower. One manual mower from the 1930s bears the serial no. 12907.

WIMBLEDON

A manual sidewheel mower from Hilltop Foundries of Birmingham, early 1930s. This machine had a large rear roller.

WINDSOR [Hartley & Sugden]

A late 19th century gear-driven mower made by Hartley & Sugden of Halifax and available in 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 & 22 inch sizes. In 1876 prices ranged from £3.10.0d to £9.0.0d. The company also made a pony mower under this name.

WINDSOR [Power Specialities]

A 15 inch rotary mower by Power Specialities Ltd. introduced in 1937. Not to be confused with the 16 inch machine of the same name manufactured post-war by Shay Ltd. although the two machines are "related".

WINDSOR [Shay]

A product of Shay Ltd. (Rotoscythe), the "Windsor" was a 16 inch model which retailed at £56.12.6d in 1955. Developed from the Power Specialities Ltd. "Rotoscythe 16". See also "Eton".

WINDSOR [Webb]

A product of Webb, the "Windsor" manual roller mower sold from £6 upwards in 1939.

WINDSOR [Wolseley-Webb]

An 18 inch rotary mower by Webb developed from the Shay product when Wolseley-Webb took over that company in the 1960s. This was a self-propelled machine with a ribbed rear roller, powered by a 3_hp. Aspera engine. In 1968 this mower retailed at £72.9.0d. Production had ceased by 1973.

WINTON

A sidewheel mower by Suffolk made in the 1920s.

WITCH

A product of Webb, the "Witch" manual roller mower sold at £3.19.9d in 1939 and remained in production until the 1980s. With its fine turf capability and eight-bladed cylinder the “Witch” was advertised in 1969 as “the Queen of hand mowers”.

WITTON

A product of Webb. In 1939 the "Witton" was the lowest priced of Webb's range of manual roller mowers, selling for £2.2.0d.

WIZARD [Shanks]

A product of Shanks in the 1920s/30s, this was a 16 inch powered roller mower with a 1hp. 2-stroke Villiers engine and a seven-bladed cutting cylinder. The price in 1927 was £45.0.0d.

WIZARD [Webb]

A product of Webb, this name was given to a series of powered roller mowers originally referred to as the "AB" series which was introduced in the early 1970s. Made in various cutting widths these employed Briggs & Stratton engines. Mains electric and battery models were also made. The range was discontinued when the company joined Suffolk Lawnmowers in 1984.

WONDER

A 1930s roller mower made by Wallis Binch of New Basford, Nottingham.

WONDERCUT

This was a manual roller mower from the 1960s with tubular "X" handles. Marked "A product of Challenge". Possibly a product of F. Slaymaker & Co. of London N.7.

WOODYATT

A late 19th century sidewheel mower made by A. R. Woodyatt & Co. of Guelph, Canada, this was a conventional "T"-handled mower made in 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 & 20 inch sizes with prices in 1900 ranging from £1.18.0d to £2.16.0d. In 1890 this firm was taken over by Taylor-Forbes.

Woodyatt

A Canadian side-wheel mower with open-spoked wheels, on sale in the UK around 1900

WORLD

A product of Ransomes, Sims & Head c1875, this originally appeared as the "Globe" in 1874. It was a manual roller mower designed for rough grass available in a range of sizes from 8 to 24 inches, with prices ranging from £2.5.0d to £9.10.0d. The “World” was still being offered by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies in 1915, but looked very dated by that time.

WREN

A product of Shanks (1940s/50s). This was a conventional sidewheel mower very similar to the "Drake" with a 12 inch cut and a 5-bladed cutting cylinder. Grass box and delivery plate were optional extras.

WULFRUNA (?)

An American made sidewheel mower from the 1920s. One example in the UK has a 10 inch cut.

WYVERN

A Greens "Silens Messor" mower marketed by Vipan & Headby of Leicester in the early 20th century and bearing that firm's name cast into the handles, and with their own angular scraper plate. Available in 10, 12 & 14 inch sizes, with prices in 1912 ranging from £4.0.0d to £6.3.6d.

XL

A product of B. Hirst & Sons of Halifax, c1879, this was a gear-driven roller mower made in 6, 8, & 10 inch sizes with prices ranging from £1.5.0d to £2.10.0d.

XX

A high-wheel sidewheel mower made by the Philadelphia Lawn Mower Co., c1900.

YALE

A late 19th century American sidewheel mower made by Dille & Anderson of Richmond, Indiana, USA.

YANKEE

A product of Shanks, c1880, this was a roller mower with two front guide wheels, available in 10, 12 & 14 inch sizes at prices of £2.10.0d, £3.10.0d, and £4.10.0d respectively.

Z TYPE

A product of Dennis Brothers of Guildford, the "Z" type was a heavy single-cylinder 600cc Blackburn-powered roller mower typical of that company's products. It was made both before and after World War 2 and, although not suitable for rough ground, it was ideal for flat surfaces such as cricket pitches where its weight ensured that it rolled the ground as well as mowed it. Because of its power and weight, it was best used with a trailing seat. One example, which left the Guildford works in May 1948, bears the serial no. 299Z7. Replaced by the 10 hp. "Premier" in the 1960s.

ZEPHYR [Eclipse]

A late-1940s American sidewheel mower made by the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. In September 1949 this was available in 16 & 18 inch sizes at a price of $24.95 and $26.50 respectively.

ZEPHYR [Greens]

A product of Greens, this was a late 1940s/50s manual roller mower. In 1949 the "Zephyr" was being offered as a 14 inch machine with a 10-bladed cutting cylinder, but by 1956 a 12 inch 8-bladed version was offered alongside a "Zephyr De Luxe" which was a 12-bladed mower designed for fine turf areas. The price of the standard mower in 1956 was £14.6.7d. Early machines are distinguishable by the chevron ribbing on the roller, later machines having straight ribbing.