Old brass or bronze winch

[steelfloats]

Could anyone help identify these old winches, they've been in the garage forever! Too nice to bin, and I might just polish one up to show off, but the workmanship is very fine old school. I would just like to know more about them. Cheers

 

[dombuckley]

Looks like a pair of Merriman No1s - bottom-action winches, originally made in Boston, USA. Should be about 90mm (3.5") high, with a base 95mm (3.75") in diameter. Possibly copies, however, as the original would have had "Merriman Bros Boston" around the circumference, cast in much greater relief than the "oil" label, which is actually still visible.