A Clockwork Percussion Bird Scarer
This is a bird scarer, not a timing or alarm device as auctioned. It consists of a rotating cylinder with 12 short chambers served by percussion nipples above which is a percussion hammer activated by a good quality clockwork fuzee mechanism housed behind in the main body of the device. On the front, around the hammer, is stamped "Jno, Gillett. Patent Brailes, Warwickshire" and the serial number 211. It is 11" high, 8.5" wide and 6" deep. This piece has been repainted but was originally a similar olive green.
The Oxford Museum of the History of Science has a similar example, dated circa 1847.
Dr Hugo
