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.