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| Barkers number
B10158 |
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Barkers number
B10158 opened |
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Strap and
plate from B10158 |
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| Bell Punch
number 75557 |
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Bell Punch
number 75557 opened |
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Strap and
plate from 75557 |
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| Bell Punch
number 77042 |
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Williamson
punch number 4500 |
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Williamson
punch number 5023 |
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| Williamson
punch number 8339 |
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Williamson
punch number 8339 opened |
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Strap and
plate from 8339 |
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| In the days before machines
printed tickets, conductors carried a wooden rack
filled with different priced, numbered tickets.
These were then punched with a hole to indicate
the stage boarded or the date. A counter on the
machine recorded each ticket and this could be checked
against the actual tickets issued. The small disc
cut from the ticket fell inside the machine. These
could be emptied later and counted if necessary.
The colour of each would identify the value of the
ticket. |
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| Although these punches were
obsolete long before I started on the buses, conductors
still spoke of printing a ticket as punching it
or ringing it off, a reference to the bell which
sounded each time a ticket was clipped. One ticket
machine company continued to be called Bell Punch
and conductors were sometimes nicknamed clippies.
The punches shown here date from the first half
of the twentieth century. |
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| These punches are in excellent
condition considering their age and the amount of
use they must have had. The punch would have been
worn on a leather strap. The ticket was inserted
in the slot at the top and the lever at the bottom
depressed. The punch makes a clean hole in the ticket,
the bell rings and the counter advances. |
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| To prevent the counter moving
by mistake, the lever cannot be operated unless
a ticket is inserted. The punch slots into a metal
plate with a leather strap. A ticket is inserted
in the slot at the top and the lever at the bottom
depressed,. A bell rings to indicate that the ticket
has been properly punched. The punch makes a hole
in the ticket, the piece of ticket dropping inside.
The Wiiliamson type has a ticket register. The Bell
Punch model has no visible counter but it can be
opened to reveal one inside. In addition, the pieces
of ticket can be emptied and counted back at the
depot. |
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| Opening a Bell Punch
ticket punch (as 75557 and 77042). |
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If you look to the right of the serial
number there is a cover which pivots
away to the left.
This reveals a U shaped slot in which
there should be a hole on the left hand
side.
If it is in any other position there
is a blank surface underneath.
Using a pointed instrument, pull it
up to the top left to reveal a deeper
hole underneath.
You now need something thin but strong
(I use a straightened paper clip) to
poke into this hole and push down on
the lever in the hole.
With this lever pushed down, press down
on the surface and push to the left,
you should see some movement, the left
hand edge moving out away from the main
body. This can be stiff but resist using
a screwdriver or such as this will scratch
the surface. Once you have started moving
the cover, the pin can be withdrawn.
The top should slide completely out,
revealing the lever that you had to
push down on. You will also see the
ticket counter. This can be returned
to zero by poking the hole above it.
This is marked DO NOT. I like to keep
records of tickets issued so I have
never tried this.
In use, the ticket counter would have
been compared with the number of pieces
of ticket to check the honesty of the
conductor.
If the punch has been locked by pressing
the round button on the back, unlock
it by inserting your pointed instrument
in to the hole above the screw on the
left of the base.
Replacing the cover is easy, simply
slot it back in and push it until it
snaps shut. Close the cover over the
U shaped slot (having reset the hole
to the top right if you like.). |
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| Opening a Barkers ticket punch
(as B10158). |
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Carefully remove the three brass screws and lift
off the back. Take care not to damage these soft
screws.
Before tipping out the ticket pieces, place a finger
or thumb on the spring to prevent it falling out.
Note where the spring sits so that you can refit
it if it does fall out. (It will fall out).
To replace the back plate, place the spring in its
groove with the end resting on top of the bolt.
Position the back plate so that the slot is over
the bolt and use the base of the slot to gently
press the spring back so that the slot sits snuggly
on the bolt.
Holding the backplate in position, refit the screws
taking care not to over tighten them so as not to
damage the heads. |
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| Opening a Williamson
ticket punch (as 4500, 5023 and 8339). |
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If you look in to the slot below the
hinge, you should be able to see a shutter
with a hole in it.
Insert a small screwdriver or similar
into this hole and ease it slightly
in the direction of the ticket slot
(away from the punch lever).
At the same time, lift the door open
to empty the ticket pieces.
To close the door, simply press it down
until it clicks shut.
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