Ratchet and tongs for tensioning telegraph and telephone wire, 1900-1969

Specimen ratchet and tongs No Specimen ratchet and tongs No Specimen ratchet and tongs No Specimen ratchet and tongs No

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

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Specimen ratchet and tongs No
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Specimen ratchet and tongs No
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Specimen ratchet and tongs No
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Specimen ratchet and tongs No
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Specimen ratchet and tongs No. 2, for 100-200 pound wire, made by the General Post Office, British, 1900-1969.

These sets of ratchets and tongs were part of the equipment used for maintaining the correct tension in telephone and telegraph wires. Different types were used for different weights of wire. The spring mechanisms were graduated in pounds, to allow for reading of the tension exerted on the wire. The tongs were specially designed to prevent any damage being caused.

Details

Category:
Telecommunications
Object Number:
1985-598/2
Materials:
metal (unknown)
Measurements:
overall: 95 mm x 510 mm x 100 mm,
type:
tool
credit:
Donated by BT Heritage and Archives