The Auction Barn

Now Online - Online Shops! View Here.

  CREATE AN ACCOUNT
The Auction Barn Logo
0 Items in Cart
| Register
0 Items in Cart

Sign in to your account to get recommendations, place bids, register for sales and manage your settings

Sign In
Create Account
  • Forgot Username?
  • Forgot Password?

Menus

HOME
AUCTIONS
Current Auctions
Auctions & Events Calendar
Past Auctions
CANBERRA ANTIQUES CENTRE
BUY & SELL
Seller's Guide
Buyers's Guide
Auction Glossary
Become a Store Holder
Postage Information
DEPARTMENTS
Appraisals & Valuations
Estate Management - Deceased Estates Canberra
Collections & Collectables
Fine Art Auctions
Australiana & Militaria Auctions
Asian Arts
Rare Book Auctions
The Contemporary Art Auction
General Goods Auctions
THE JOURNAL
ABOUT
Contact Us
About Us
Our Indigenous Art Policy
Our Hazardous Substances Policy
ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE MARKET DAY
The Auction Barn Logo
  • HOME
  • AUCTIONS
    • Current Auctions
    • Auctions & Events Calendar
    • Past Auctions
  • CANBERRA ANTIQUES CENTRE
  • BUY & SELL
    • Seller's Guide
    • Buyers's Guide
    • Auction Glossary
    • Become a Store Holder
    • Postage Information
  • DEPARTMENTS
    • Appraisals & Valuations
    • Estate Management - Deceased Estates Canberra
    • Collections & Collectables
    • Fine Art Auctions
    • Australiana & Militaria Auctions
    • Asian Arts
    • Rare Book Auctions
    • The Contemporary Art Auction
    • General Goods Auctions
  • THE JOURNAL
  • ABOUT
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Our Indigenous Art Policy
    • Our Hazardous Substances Policy
  • ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE MARKET DAY

Guess the Object #1: A Wolseley Sheep Shearing ScrewdriverA Wolsley Sheep Shearing Company Screwdriver on a White Background. Brass and Metal with 'WOLSELEY' Impressed into the Center.

Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes • Last updated: 28.8.21 
 Blog by Moog B

 

Back in July, we posted our first ever #guessthatobject challenge by featuring an unusual little metal object. Round, with two flat metal prongs, and marked ‘Wolseley’, this item was very familiar to a lot of our readers!

 

First Image: Lot 66: A Vintage Australian Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Co. Brass & Steel Screwdriver (8.5cm dia.)

 

With the clue of a sheep, many correctly guessed that the item was a screwdriver for a handshearing device - in particular, one made by The Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Co. Established by Frederick York Wolseley, a New South Welshman who was a pioneer in shearing technology. As the inventor of the first commercially successful machinery for sheep shearing, it made the arduous process of hand shearing much easier, sped up the process and improved the quality of the wool shorn. Quickly becoming part of the essential fabric of the Australian farming landscape since its introduction in the late 1880s, this simple item reflects a fascinating history of innovation within Australia. 

 

For a museum example, see The National Museum of Australia’s shearing handpiece and screwdriver, accession no. 2013.0012.0002

 

[Caption Right: A Black & White Image of Four Men in the Process of Shearing Sheep.

Source: Brooks, G., ‘Men in Shearing Shed at Bungaree, SA’ (GN07458), c.1925, via The History Trust of South Australia.]

Search Auction Barn

Item type

Item status (For Auction Item)

Canberra's Premier Auction House

Anyone can sell at The Auction Barn. Individuals, Businesses, Government Departments, Liquidators, and Importers. A selling profile can be developed to suit the situation. Contact one of our vendor managers today.

  6239 2095

SIGN UP TODAY

Create an account to bid on our live & online auctions today.

REGISTER ME

SERVICES


Deceased Estate Services

Business Liquidations

Delivery and Postage

Appraisals & Valuations

Contact us

SPECIALIST SALES


Collections & Collectables

Fine Art Auctions

Militaria Auctions

Asian Arts

Rare Book Auctions

Valuations

SOCIAL




@ 2025 The Auction Barn Pty Ltd

Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | (02) 6239 2095

ABN: 81 139 329 034

We accept