Hiram Holt & Co. Lightning Hay Knife, 1888-1894
01
Artifact Overview
Farm families cut and cured enough grass each summer to make hay to feed their livestock all winter. Stored hay settled over time and farmers used special knives to cut out chunks for feed. George Weymouth patented it in 1871 and Hiram Holt & Co. manufactured and sold it as "Lightning" starting in May 1872. The offset handles made it easier to push the sharp serrated steel blade down to cut through the hay.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Hay knife
Date Made
1888-1894
Creators
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Originally patented by George F. Weymouth and attributed to the Hiram Holt Company, East Wilton, Maine.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
00.4.19
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Wood (Plant Material)
Metal
Color
Black (Color)
Brown
Dimensions
Height: 9.5 in
Width: 34 in
Length: 4.5 in
Inscriptions
stamped on blade:
H. HOLT & CO. / E. WILTON / PAT'D MAR 7, 1871
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