Pulley Pin
Description
Dark brown and very heavy. Long circular wooden pin. Might have been turned – spindle hole still visible in centre of one end. One end is slightly flared. Pin steps narrower by few mm in centre section, approx. 100mm in length (slightly narrower section). Flat ends have been cut at slight angle.
The pin is one of the three main parts of a pulley or block. The others being the wheel or sheave (which rotated on the pin), and the shell or case. A very hard wood called Lignum Vitae was used to make the pins. Lignum Vitae was sourced from the Caribbean or the northern coast of South America. It became an important export from that region. If Lignum Vitae was not available then Ash or sometimes even iron pins would be fitted. Usually made by turning the wood on a lathe, pins were often fitted through the sheave using brass bushes. Brass was used in an attempt to limit wear on a highly stressed part of the pulley.
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Object Detail
Diameter: 70mm (2 3/4")