I have just acquired this CWS Invincible S1. I guess a John Crowley Works Sheffield series 1? Can anyone shed any light on the machine?
Tue, 18/09/2018 - 19:44
#1
CWS Invincible S1
The Old Lawnmower Club
Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers
Hello Mike
Unfortunately I don't believe it has any connection with John Crowley! I think it is what we refer to as a catalogue mower made for the Co-operative Wholesale Society probably by an established mower manufacturer like Qualcast?, could well be 1930's. I see the tubular handle is I would think from a much later 1950/60's mower, yours would have had a wooden 'T' handle. John Crowley's Invincible was a roller mower, although they did make a sidewheel called the Victor and were still advertising sidewheel mowers in 1913 alongside their Invincible roller mower.
There was another one same as yours for sale recently on another auction site, will see if I can find it, may have the original handle.
Hope that helps & others may want to add more.
Hello again
Here is one with what looks like the right handle, but later plastic rollers!
I have one of these - sorry no good images of the complete machine. However, it has a wooden T-handle and wooden roller. S1 on the wheel suggests it's a re-badged Follows & Bate S series from the 1930s although design does look like Qualcast Model E too. CWS means Co-operative Wholesale Society - so the "Co-Op".
OLC Admin
Hi Clive, Thanks for the interesting information. I plumped for the wrong Invincible! I am in the process of renovating the mower, Cheers Mike
Stripped and painting started.
I notice my handles are cut off!
Starting painting
Now mowing my spring grass. Sharpened with 40G to cylinder and a file to the bottom blade. Cutting very nicely now. Needs a bit more fine sharpening and a touch up on the paint job. Nice that a near 100 year old mower still cuts well. I need a correct handle next. Anyone any ideas?
Now mowing!
Mowing
!