C W Brecknell Penny scales & shocker

[gameswat]

This machine just sold in the US and I've never seen this model before. The mechanism is the classic design by Percival Everitt of 1884 also used in Salter scales. The cabinet has an early look about it especially being mostly wood, but the Brecknell footplate looks much later to me.

[pennymachines]

Very handsome! l would guess that the footplate is contemporary with the scales, which may have been old fashioned in style when built. In other words, I think they might be a bit later than they at first appear.

I've never heard of C W Brecknell, although they are from my neck of the woods - Mozart Works, Ombersley Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. I imagine they were not connected with the Bristol-based Brecknell, Munro & Rogers. Apparently they only made scales:

My new job was to my liking and on looking round the factory I discovered that no other work was done but the production of weighing machines, every type imaginable from counter scales to weighbridge monsters.

I Remember Garrison Lane

With George Salter, W & T Avery, Henry Pooley & Son, amongst others, Birmingham was the manufacturing base for British scales. I would be interested to find out more about C W Brecknell.

[downunda]

Where is the payout slot?

[pennymachines]

I found a couple of scraps about CW Breknell.
If this reference is correct, the Mozart Works was occupied, in keeping with its name, by piano and organ makers J & W Sames up until around 1921, at which date there was a major fire. Unless Brecknell shared the factory, I would guess they moved in sometime thereafter, when reconstruction was completed.

This matches the period from which Charles William Breknell and Harold Leslie Brecknell were filing patents for scales: 1924 to 1962

[gameswat]

PM, I've been fairly busy but have tried a few times to find more out about Brecknell but not a lot out there. Seems odd that they were Patenting their own non coin-op scales and yet using the quite antiquated Everitt design? I've not seen the use of the Everitt mech after about 1905 before, and always with the Everitt Patent info cast into the footplates. That's part of the reason I was suggesting an earlier Brecknell scale body with later cast foot plate, which I've seen happen a few times when later operators took over earlier machines by other makers, or just from revamping with a newer business name etc. Maybe the Patent had run out by the early '20s? Or possibly they recycled some old circa 1890 Salter scale mechanisms that were salvaged when the cast iron cases were scrapped during WW1 metal drives???

[pennymachines]

Interesting to see that Charles Brecknell also made a counter-top coin-operated electric shocker. This 'Electric Treatment Life and Health' machine sold for £800 plus premium at Duke's auctioneers last Thursday.

[oneforthehedge]

Topic moved & merged - Site Admin.

Hi everyone.
Am new on here and new to the world of coin op machines too for that matter. Have a CW Brecknell Life and Health machine that looks in good nick initially but does not work and appears that someone has tried reconfiguring beforehand. The handle rotates freely even before you put an old penny in.

I cannot find any information about these re what wire connects to where and how to go about repairing them. Would anyone have any pointers? Cheers.

[pennymachines]

It's a rare machine and I've never had one, so can't help I'm afraid. A bit more info in the topic now merged above.

I think the handle should move freely - but the juice only comes on when you insert a penny.

[john t peterson]

If you will provide detailed pictures of the complete mechanism, some of the resident scholars here might be able to advise you on repair/restoration of your shocker. Even if they do not have this particular machine, they are amazingly bright.

J Peterson
Shockingly dim, USA

[gameswat]

These machines are a British copy of the fairly common Detroit Medical Batteries, so you will find a lot more info on those to help you out. Restored mine 25 years ago and sold to the USA a few years later so I'm vague on them now.