ANTIQUE BRASS & WOOD GARDEN TOOL FOR WATERING PLANTS, MADE BY DEAKINS, PHILA, PA
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:46427 | Decade: Pre 1890 |
| Original/Reproduction: Antique Original | Maker: Robert T. Deakin |
| Type: Garden Tool | Material: Brass |
We have an interesting gadget or device that we have analyzed to determine its purpose as it is not labeled with a name to let us in on its secrets! We have concluded that it is a watering device for spraying water up so that hanging plants can be watered. At one end there is a turned wooden handle that can be pulled in and out. The brass rod inside the brass cylinder moves with the motion of the handle and has a worn rubber coating or ring on the larger part of the end nearest the noz...zle end to create a better seal so that water can be pulled into the cylinder. The spraying nozzle end has a central larger diameter hole which is surrounded by tiny holes.
When the nozzle end is put into a container of water (such as a bucket) and the handle is pulled out, water is pulled in. Then the device is raised and aimed at where you want the water to go. The handle is pushed back in and a spray of water emerges. It can spray a good 15 feet or so. The rubber ring inside is worn so that it is not as tight as it originally would have been when it was first made so it doesn't hold the water perfectly inside before spraying it out. There is a tiny hole in the side of a ring at the opposite end from the nozzle. When the rod is pulled back after finishing a spray, water remaining inside is pushed out through that hole. Thus, this is not practical for use where it is important not to get the floor wet! This tiny hole that directs remaining water out is a deliberate feature of the device.
There are two threaded rings on the sides which we have analyzed as to their purpose. The threaded spraying head or nozzle is the same diameter as the side rings and fits on the rings. We are theorizing that the side rings were for attaching and storing different styles of spraying nozzles. Our piece only has the one spraying nozzle head that is attached on one end. The maker's mark is in raised print as shown in the accompanying photograph. It reads, "Robt. T. Deaken & Co., No. 5, Makers."
In its shortest position with the handle pushed all the way in, it measures 24 1/2 inches long. The cylinder is 1 1/2 inches in diameter. When the handle is pulled all the way out, it measures about 41 1/4 inches long. The internet being such a convenient "information superhighway", I did a little research on Robert T. Deakin and, as often is the case, there was some information on Robert T. Deakin of Philadelphia.
Robert T. Deakin was born in 1838 in England. He is listed in the 1880 census at the 28th Ward, District 13, Philadelphia, PA. He was listed as having been born in England. He was 42 years old in 1880. He was married to Mary Elizabeth Wright, daughter of Josiah Wright. Josiah was born in the town of Lennox, Berkshire Co., Mass., on January 12, 1799, and was a son of Samuel Wright, who had a family of seven children. Josiah was the last one of the family to pass away. Robert Deakin's father-in-law, Josiah Wright, was an abolitionist who was prominently connected with all anti-slavery movements and identified with many important cases of escaping fugitives. Information about Josiah Wright is from Rock County, Wisconsin biographies online.
Regarding Robert Deakin's activities as a businessperson, he was apparently in the business of manufacturing things. In a Centennial Photographic Co. photograph found online of an exhibit of dentistry equipment and supplies shown at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, an item made by Robert T. Deakin of Philadelphia is listed as being in the display at the exhibit. Thus he was also a maker of dentistry equipment.
The watering device that we are offering is unpolished and uncleaned with its original patina acquired from over one hundred years of age. There is one drip of white paint on the turned wooden handle. The internal rubber ring inside is worn which affects the perfect operation of the device but it does still work as a waterer/sprayer.
PA residents add 6% sales tax or provide a valid resale number. Our reference # for this item is #3900.
Shipping is free only to addresses within the U.S. The shipping quote to locations outside of the U.S. is an estimate and the actual cost may differ. We charge the actual cost for International shipping and refund the difference if the difference is more than $1.
International Buyers – Please Note:
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.
When the nozzle end is put into a container of water (such as a bucket) and the handle is pulled out, water is pulled in. Then the device is raised and aimed at where you want the water to go. The handle is pushed back in and a spray of water emerges. It can spray a good 15 feet or so. The rubber ring inside is worn so that it is not as tight as it originally would have been when it was first made so it doesn't hold the water perfectly inside before spraying it out. There is a tiny hole in the side of a ring at the opposite end from the nozzle. When the rod is pulled back after finishing a spray, water remaining inside is pushed out through that hole. Thus, this is not practical for use where it is important not to get the floor wet! This tiny hole that directs remaining water out is a deliberate feature of the device.
There are two threaded rings on the sides which we have analyzed as to their purpose. The threaded spraying head or nozzle is the same diameter as the side rings and fits on the rings. We are theorizing that the side rings were for attaching and storing different styles of spraying nozzles. Our piece only has the one spraying nozzle head that is attached on one end. The maker's mark is in raised print as shown in the accompanying photograph. It reads, "Robt. T. Deaken & Co., No. 5, Makers."
In its shortest position with the handle pushed all the way in, it measures 24 1/2 inches long. The cylinder is 1 1/2 inches in diameter. When the handle is pulled all the way out, it measures about 41 1/4 inches long. The internet being such a convenient "information superhighway", I did a little research on Robert T. Deakin and, as often is the case, there was some information on Robert T. Deakin of Philadelphia.
Robert T. Deakin was born in 1838 in England. He is listed in the 1880 census at the 28th Ward, District 13, Philadelphia, PA. He was listed as having been born in England. He was 42 years old in 1880. He was married to Mary Elizabeth Wright, daughter of Josiah Wright. Josiah was born in the town of Lennox, Berkshire Co., Mass., on January 12, 1799, and was a son of Samuel Wright, who had a family of seven children. Josiah was the last one of the family to pass away. Robert Deakin's father-in-law, Josiah Wright, was an abolitionist who was prominently connected with all anti-slavery movements and identified with many important cases of escaping fugitives. Information about Josiah Wright is from Rock County, Wisconsin biographies online.
Regarding Robert Deakin's activities as a businessperson, he was apparently in the business of manufacturing things. In a Centennial Photographic Co. photograph found online of an exhibit of dentistry equipment and supplies shown at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, an item made by Robert T. Deakin of Philadelphia is listed as being in the display at the exhibit. Thus he was also a maker of dentistry equipment.
The watering device that we are offering is unpolished and uncleaned with its original patina acquired from over one hundred years of age. There is one drip of white paint on the turned wooden handle. The internal rubber ring inside is worn which affects the perfect operation of the device but it does still work as a waterer/sprayer.
PA residents add 6% sales tax or provide a valid resale number. Our reference # for this item is #3900.
Shipping is free only to addresses within the U.S. The shipping quote to locations outside of the U.S. is an estimate and the actual cost may differ. We charge the actual cost for International shipping and refund the difference if the difference is more than $1.
International Buyers – Please Note:
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.
