wrr
Well-Known Member
Does anybody recognise the make of this two-speed winch? Approx. 50 years old, handle engages with male square drive on top.
Suggestions please.
Many thanks.
Suggestions please.
Many thanks.
Identity of Winch?
- Thread starter wrr
- Start date
michael_w
Well-Known Member
Probably considerably older than 50 years. If you need parts, they'll have to be made.
Woodlouse
Well-Known Member
Have you tried dismantling it in search for a makers name? It looks like a 50's or 60's design but I couldn't tell you what it is. It's very unlikely that the company that produced it is still around though.
wrr
Well-Known Member
Yes, I have stripped them down , but I am afraid that they are completely anonymous!
ffiill
Well-Known Member
If its made of tufnol as it appears its probably a Gibb like my single speed circa 1948
wrr
Well-Known Member
Thanks, it is bronze with good verdigris. As regards age, they were installed in 1962. Maker is still a mystery!
pampas
Well-Known Member
Possibly a very early Holt winch or Barton.
ccscott49
Well-Known Member
Dont know what it is but I have two chromed ones on the side of my ,mast, definitely 1960's or earlier. Bloody good winch though, mine have rachet handles for them. If you want to get rid of those, let me know!
wrr
Well-Known Member
I agree that they are great winches, not for sale though! I have managed to source replacement stainless compression springs for the pawls as the plated steel springs did not last very long. I imagine that the original springs were phosphor bronze. The only problem with these winches is that the stainless bolt on top with the tommy bar hole (photo) tends to unscrew. A drop of Studlock has resolved that problem. It would be nice to know the identity of maker though......
Any further suggestions as to manufacturers?
Any further suggestions as to manufacturers?
Rosie1963
Well-Known Member
Could they be American (Merriman). Our pre-war winches were usually bottom handled. They might be large Leytons?
Phoenix of Hamble
Well-Known Member
pretty sure its an ancient Merriman... they did quite a few with a square peg on top... rigrite still do spares!
Tradewinds
Well-Known Member
Seems that Rig-Rite Inc are not to be totally relied upon (I have a Stearn system that may need parts in the future
). Search Google for a wide variety of opinions about the company!!
eg
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f116/rig-rite-contact-info-17531.html
http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/74749-rig-rite.html
wrr
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the information, although I cannot match the sheet winches, two of my bottom action reefing and halyard winches look like Merriman winches. Also, thanks for the Rig-Rite warning. I can fabricate bronze replacement pawls for the sheet winches, as required. Given the warnings about Rig-Rite, I will endeavour not to lose any bits when I strip down the halyard/reefing winches!
