G'day Ian
Great to hear from you again and great to
hear about the Great American!
As always, great images for provenance and the record.
For whatever reason, 'pushes' have been almost forgotten by collectors here.
Many thanks for you recording your Great American reel lawnmower.
The authority on these early USA machines is Jim Ricci - and his book 'Hand, Horse, and Mower'.
I had done initial research on your machine many years' ago, and I
would like to make a few quick comments: -
This machine is best described as a Pennsylvania Lawn Mower Works
made mower - branded as the Great American. I think this was their
most successful model sold here. A Pennsylvania Great American.
A metal 'P&Q' cross brace often connected the wooden handle upright to
the wooden hand crossbar. This stood for 'Pennsylvania Quality'.
[I think this might be cast on your side-frames too].
It cannot be a Monarch as well. That was another Pennsylvania model (best guess)
You sort of say this in the images above ... Note the size cut differences?
[Some models had even-size cuts; others, odd-size cuts.]
My best guess is that your mower dates from the 1920s - but no later.
Maybe, early 1930s.
I have a lot more to say about Pennsylvania quality lawnmowers,
but that will be for another day.
Cheers
-------------------------
Jack
