I am involved with Norman Painting in publishing his latest book "Herbert Austin: New Light on the Wolseley Years." It is based on recently-discovered material. We hope to get it on the bookshelves in time for the Austin/Longbridge Centenary celebrations in June/July. A number of areas of research remain unresolved, hence this approach to Wolseley stationary engine experts.
When Herbert Austin was working for Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Co Ltd in the 1890s he designed, built and patented a new portable STEAM ENGINE and gear for shearing. This represents his first known attempt to design an engine of any sort. It was a vertical design, unlike his first motor car petrol engines a few years later which were all of horizontal configuration.
The steam engine was a two-cylinder design with a novel form of valve gear, covered by patent number 13879-1893. In July 1893 the company exhibited the new portable steam engine at the Highland & Agricultural Society Show in Edinburgh. Interest was very favourable and Messrs. Carruther’s & Son of Glasgow immediately requested an agency for selling the portable shearing gear. A similar request was made by R. J. Hawkes, believed to be from New Zealand.
Austin also developed an early portable oil engine which was completed and tested by October 1896. The engines were apparently made in sizes of 4, 7 and 12 b.h.p. In June 1898 the Royal Agricultural Society held their Birmingham Show in Four Oaks Park, Birmingham and Wolseley are mentioned in the list of exhibitors of gas/oil engines. We know from records that these engines sold in Australia: Messrs. Sanderson Murray & Co., of Tasmania ordered "oil portable engines, and 11 sets of machines" in January 1898.
We have been unable to locate any illustrations or extant examples of these machines. If you have come across references to these machines, or have any idea where such information might be found, we would be very pleased to hear from you.
With best wishes
Peter Allen