Hello sb30inch

It is a first on these great forums that we have a Shanks Talisman.
The great Scottish manufacturer has a long history with lawnmowers,
and were a well-know brand on these shores.

That it has an Anthony Horderns' nameplate makes this machine extra
special. Horderns' had a long association with Shanks and held the
NSW agency. The importers would have been W.D. Grant of Melbourne.

The Talisman oozes an expensive quality, and I hope to tell its story
shortly. I will provisionally say here that the Talisman was a 'copy'
of an American 'Pennsylvania' design. Whilst the British may lay claim
to the invention of the side-wheel mower in 1869, it is the Americans
that perfected that design, and influenced all other makers of side-wheels.

In this photo (courtesy of the UK's Old Lawnmower Club) we see that the
Talisman was fitted with a front catcher and deflector. The large diameter
drive wheels produced taller gearing to increase the cuts per yard of
the reel. Hence, these were sold as 'bowling green' mowers.

[Linked Image]

I would like to thank sb30inch for sharing this historically
significant lawnmower with us.

All very historical.
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Jack