Lauson Company Type RSV-800 Lawn Mower, circa 1940

THF174356 / Lauson Company Type RSV-800 Lawn Mower, circa 1940
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Artifact Overview

With the rise of the suburban neighborhood at the end of the 19th century, and its continued growth in the decades that followed, maintaining a "perfect" lawn became the new standard. Manufacturers promoted a whole set of specialty equipment to support this American obsession. This fashionable mower, sold through Montgomery Ward, featured a rear wheel that helped operators turn with ease.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Lawn mower

Date Made

circa 1940

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

90.296.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Given in Memory of Ivan Hoffman.

Material

Metal

Color

Green
Silver (Color)
Red

Dimensions

Height: 50 in
Width: 25 in
Length: 35 in

Inscriptions

on hood: 15 TBK 8146A / WARDS LAKESIDE QUALITY on plate: MFD. BY / THE LAUSON COMPANY / NEW HOLSTEIN, WISC., U.S.A. / TYPE RSV-800 / NO. 5131073 / ORDER [blank] / LUBRICATION: BEFORE STARTING ENGINE, FILL CRANKCASE TO OVERFLOW POINT WITH: / Mobiloil OR EQUAL / A SAE-30 SUMMER / Arctic SAE-20W WINTER / [...] on base: 39 28 27 on sticker: 4 CYCLE / THE LAUSON ENGINE / THE LAUSON COMPANY / NEW HOLSTEIN, WISC. / U.S.A.
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