Horse-drawn vehicles were used as early the 6th century BC in Assyria and Egypt and show a continuity of detail in design and use. Assyrian charioteers are pictured holding a set of reins in the same manner employed by Cobb & Co drivers well into the 20th century. The horsedrawn tradition came to an end in Australia in the decade after the Second World War; baker's vans, dairy floats, butcher's carts and lorries were comparatively common sights until the 1950s. The introduction to Australia in the 1850s of the Cobb & Co coaching service and the relaxation of restrictions that limited trading to goods of British origin heralded a gradual change in the coachbuilding industry from a relatively small industry based on British traditions and needs to an industry using imported mass-produced parts from America and producing American designed vehicles.This collection is an excellent example of the tools and parts that were used by a Sydney based coachbuilding company that was established in this American-influenced era. John L Mackey Pty Ltd of Surry Hills in inner city Sydney was a family business that operated from the late 1870s to 1959.

These tools and coach parts were hand forged by John L Mackey Pty Ltd of Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia between 1876 and 1959 when the business closed down.

Coach building equipment (54), metal / wood, made by John L Mackey Pty Ltd, Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia, 1876-1959

Span Iron to support driver's seat and rear spring from Hansom cab, lamp socket and bracket, seat support for Hansom cab, wheel plate assembly (turntable for front wheel), hub, hub rim, shackle couplings (6), coupling plate for spring to axle (2), drop plate couplers (2), britchen staple fitted to shaft (3), T-bolts (6), lamp bracket for sulky, bracket and journal for hand brake from wagon, brake, scroll iron, axle clips (4), top tool swedge (2), bottom tool swedge, swedge and punch, blacksmith's tongs (8), roof luggage ladder, tool for holding nut, twisting forks (3), bolt cutters, wheel hub spanners (2), wheel sleeve cast iron bearing.

Made: 1876 - 1959

2005/260/1

1876 - 1959