1870s Brass Skirt Lifter

[AKiwi]

1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

Found this last night, being that it is close to 28 if not 30 deg. C during the day, when it cooled to 22, out I went.
Found it on the side of a hill in the middle of nowhere, by accident really. Sat down to take the weight off and the Garrett went off with a low, low tone. It showed at 12inches and I got it at 15inches! we deal in Cm's so it took a bit of searching in the garage amongst all those treasures finally found an old ruler and figured it out.
It is 5.5inches long
Looks like it had rubber pads on the discs so as not to mark the dress

 

[trikikiwi]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

What a cool find Mate
That is in very good condition, you wouldn't know it was dug.
Keep up the good work

Mike

 

[AKiwi]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

I soaked it over night in liquid softsoap, and one of the cups fell off when I was trying to get it up to scratch for the Pic session this morning.

 

[sasnz]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

Hi Akiwi.

Forgive me if i missed the point but what the hell is it? and what are Cms? Oh but the way we are starting to get a little community of kiwis here too, great to hear about fellow countryman finds. keep it up.

sasnz

 

[texan connection]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

Very Cool Im thinking CM'S are cientemeters but whats a Kiwi and what was the item used for, do i need to get one

 

[AKiwi]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

Sorry Guys, yes it does stand for centimetres.
The item was attached to a Victorian woman's belt and her dress was lifted and fitted into the clamps and the fancy squarish bit was pushed down which made the 'chop sticks' like things to tighten and clasp the material.
It held the dress out of the mud or wet grass

 

[texan connection]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

OHHH cool very nice shape

 

[sasnz]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

Ahhh, very cool find, was their a homestead somewhere? sounds like their is a little history around where you are hunting, any info on it? would like to see any further finds you may get.

sasnz

 

[Yarrum]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

Very cool indeed, not something you would find everyday.
I'm surprised you knew what it was. Thank for sharing.

Cheers

 

[AKiwi]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

Look at the pic on the finger........I googled it........the patent that is

 

[Kiwijohn]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

That sure is a very tidy find. 15 inches what are you digging with? Need a backhoe to go that deep here down south. (Nelson)
John.. (fellow Kiwi)

 

[pakeha63]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

That's a really cool find. Glad to see the Kiwi's keeping the hunting pace up.

Kia Ora.

 

[crazyjarhead]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

WOW, how times have changed. Imagine having that thing hooked to your belt Nice piece of history though

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

Interesting find, I have never seen one! HH, Mike

 

[theloadroom]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

vry nice, congrats!

 

[DJ_Quinn]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

Nice find! BTW, I never realized there was such a thing as a "skirt lifter" tool. I've always had to rely on either my charm, hands or imagination.....

 

[PBK]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

Neat item!

Evidently, Fyfe's was a major maker and featured a line of fancy figural skirt lifters: butterflies, shells, etc. A matching pair can bring $400 or more, at least here in the U.S. Here's a couple made like padlocks. (And no, they're NOT part of a belt! )

​

 

[texan connection]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

why would you need a padlock on a skirt lifter

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

Very Nice find....The basics of the design remained the same until early in Edwardian days when they were used by lady bicyclists and tennis players to overcome the disadvantages of a long skirt.

Some of these can be worth some serious money. I have seen them sell for 400.00 or more.

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Re: 1870's Brass Skirt Lifter

LOL...PBK you must be reading my mind this morning....typed my post the same time as yours!