Robert Brettell Bate, London c1830

The 6-spoke iron rimmed wheel has a circumference of ½ pole (2¾ yards) and is connected from the axle by a cased rod to the recording mechanism in the handle.

One fork is hinged allowing the wheel to be removed for transportation.

This fork also has a compartment with a sliding cover, presumably for housing a spanner (not present) for use in wheel removal.

Wheel diameter 31½ inches.

The brass 7-inch diameter distance dial, which was probably silvered originally, has a hinged glazed cover and is signed Bate London. The dial is graduated in yards and poles on the outer dial and in furlongs and miles on the inner ring. The hands are of blued steel.Outer dial: 0 – 220 yards & 0 – 40 poles Inner dial: 0 – 10 miles graduated in furlongs (1 furlong = 220 yards = 40 poles, 8 furlong = 1 mile)

The waywiser is restored and has restorations.

Robert Brettell Bate (Brettell was his mother’s maiden name) was born in 1782 and died in 1847. Bate commenced working at 17 Poultry about 1808 and leased larger premises at 20 and 21 Poultry in 1824. Bate was a member of the Spectacle makers Company and its Master in 1828, the same year that he was appointed Optician in Ordinary to King George IV.

For full details about Robert Brettell Bate, see the biography page.

Stock No.: WAY3