Essex Football & Ahrens Great Polo Game identified

[aristomatic]

Leave playfield as is, drop off at London Art Exhibition, then go back and collect your £40,000 less commission, then go and buy a restored one...

[geofflove]

Sadly they wouldn’t let me have the Polo top as the sister likes horses! Sad as I suspect it will just sit rotting.

So what solvent would be best to soak this in?

Anyone know what the alloy is? Is it pot metal or something nicer? Not sure how easy it’s going to be to free things up without breaking the alloy.

BTW what period were these made?

[slotalot]

I think time wise you are looking at mid 1920s.
You could try sitting it in a bath of paraffin for a few weeks, then try a little heat, Won't be easy but as it's a pre war English machine the aluminium should be of better quality.

[pennymachines]

I think the inner castings are mostly aluminium, and the outer fittings might be plated brass?

Additional to the other suggestions, regular squirts of penetrating oil might help. The key will be patience; don't try to rush it. Keep trying to gently work pieces free after a few weeks soaking, wiggling and tapping, and soak longer if necessary.

The object is to separate the irreplaceable castings from the rusted steel plate, wire and rods - the latter can be replaced with new. You might resort to cutting and drilling out any that's too rusted in place to come free.

As TF says, a skilled metal fabricator could remake the cabinet, or perhaps you could make a wooden cabinet.

Mammoth task but would be great to see it saved. Hopefully others can provide images and measurements going forward.

[special when lit]

What’s the best way of freeing the rusty steel rods and bits from the alloy it sits in without smashing it all? It's all a bit sad really.

Wouldn't normally recommend Halfords for anything, but get some of this, it's really good.
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/engin ... 21533.html

RS.jpg (30.44 KiB) Viewed 1276 times

Interesting to see a Sinclair C5 in the background. My mate's dad was a manager at Wigfalls, when they came out & he brought one home one day. Managed to get 6 of us on it, before it fell over.

[geofflove]

Thanks for the tip. I’ll give it a shot.

Yes I just got the C5 a couple of weeks ago. All running now on Lithium technology which should give a bit more range than the 12 miles of the original lead acid battery. Hoping for more like 30 on this battery. Just waiting for some nice weather so I can try it out and look like a right knob. They only made them for 9 months back in 1985. Another wonderful British failure although I can now say I have a car designed by Lotus
Turns out Clive was bit too far ahead of his time.

[slotalot]

Turns out Clive was bit too far ahead of his time.

Yes so was Tesla, and we know what happened to him.

[geofflove]

Not sure if this is allowed so if not please delete …

I’ve decided that sadly a lack of time is going to prevent me doing this once justice. With some regret I’ve decided to let someone else have a shot at breathing life into this lovely thing. I’ve therefore just popped it on eBay. Wanted to let you all know as had quite a few message from people following this one. Take a look if interested.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166669120824

[treefrog]

Not sure if this is allowed so if not please delete …

I’ve decided that sadly a lack of time is going to prevent me doing this once justice. With some regret I’ve decided to let someone else have a shot at breathing life into this lovely thing. I’ve therefore just popped it on eBay. Wanted to let you all know as had quite a few message from people following this one. Take a look if interested.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166669120824

Changed your mind Geoff as disappeared from eBay

[geofflove]

Sorry - I’d mentioned it somewhere else and got an ‘offer I couldn’t refuse’ from a different source…..