1860`s Washing Machine

[Bixby Bill]

Here`s a prize I recently picked up at an auction, a hand cranked Nonpareil washing machine made by Oakley & Keating of N.Y. The only info I`ve found so far are a few advertisements in some American Agriculturist magazines from the early 1860`s. I first saw this machine many years ago when a friend of mine bought this and a bunch of other neat stuff at an auction way up in New Hampshire, I bought most of the other things he had but he wouldn`t part with this. He recently consigned a bunch of stuff to an auction I go to regularly, and was able to get it very reasonably. It`s probably one of the most unusual and interesting things I`ve picked up in quite a while, I have a weakness for unusual and weird contraptions and making them work again. And the best part is that it`s complete and works! You crank the handle and it causes the two wooden blocks in the tub to go back and forth. I like displaying antique engines and machinery at the local fairs, and this is definitely going to be going this year!
I know it`s not everybody`s cup of tea, but it is interesting.

 

[Bixby Bill]

Here`s the innards of the machine.

 

[Bixby Bill]

Here`s one of the ads I have for it. It says a girl of 14 can operate it, but I think it would be enough to give the average adult a good workout!

 

[cyberdigger]

The ad also says.. "It will not get out of order" ..where 14 year old girls are concerned, that is a strong selling point!
Fascinating contraption indeed, congrats on obtaining it! I'd love to see it in action.. if needed, I could supply some dirty laundry. I'm curious how it would perform on the gussets of me undies..

 

[Bixby Bill]

In little over a week I`ll have it out at an old engine show in Mass., I`ll give it a try there to see how it works. I`d hate to have you put your delicates through it and have anything happen to them![]

 

[RED Matthews]

Thanks Bixby Bill - for bringing this to our FORUM. For the lovers of old antuque things, it is always a smile maker to realize what is still out there for us to enjoy seeing. I have an old washing machine that has a wooden tub and a long wooden bar on the side for the washer woman (or her son - memories) to work the handle for the washing action. I have to dig it out this summer and put it on the market an a Geneva Auction House - along with a lot of other things out of the past. I saved the pictures and the forum copy - so I can look for the name on mine when we get up north.
Thanks again RED Matthews