German 20 Ton Jack

[Dan Williams]

I been watching a show called Chasing Mummies,And on last night show,
They used a German tank jack to move a heavy stone.If it wasn't for all of these models I would not have spotted the jack.
Dan

[Dan Williams]

Hi Guys,
I just want to give a little more information on this show.It was on the History Ch. In Saqqara, Egypt. The team of Zah Hawass found a
pramid that was under 60' of sand.They were moving the lid off,which weighed 6 tons.They were using the German tank jack to start the move.
The jack look like it was in great cond. for being 68 year old.The rock cover move easy.I would not have known what it was if it wasn't for Steve Winstone's 1/6 scale model of one.
Well I thought it was interesting?
Dan

[Fabrice Le Roux]

Hi Dan,

I did not see the programme, but a couple of years ago I came across the website of a jack manufacturer in Gemany who still makes a range of jacks including ones that look almost identical to the WWII types. I guess the design has not been bettered.

If you saw a close up of the jack and it had a date or eagle stamp then that would be good evidence that it was a wartime example.

I can find the link again if you are interested.

cheers, Fabrice

[Steve Stuart]

I walk past sluice gates on Osney Island, by the Thames in Oxford and there are two, what look like, jacks fitted to the top of them to operate them. I have not looked at them too closely as yet, but I reckon I ought!
Steve

[Fabrice Le Roux]

Hi Dan and Steve,

Visiting Flatford Mill in Suffolk on our "staycation" hols last week I was amazed to see what appeared to be a 20 ton German jack made in oak and forged iron on the museum floor.

Clearly, a Mr John Constable was equally impressed and included a very similar jack in his 1814-15 painting "Boat-building near Flatford Mill" viewable here:
http://bennettcarnahan.files.wordpress. ... le_006.jpg

Which goes to show that a) there is nothing new under the sun and b) if there is, we invented it first!

Cheers, chaps!
Fabrice

[Paul Wills]

Hello Chaps,

Funny I should be reading a magazine from a company called Robel, as you can see they are offering a wide range of new tools, including a familiar looking jack, top right!



Paul.

[Adrian Harris]

Well spotted

Only rated to 10 tonnes now though

Adrian.