Component model; Armour plate model

Scale: Unknown. A model depicting a method of connecting armour plates by means of bolts passing through flanges formed on the ends of the plates, as proposed by Messrs Samuelson & Co in 1862. The model is made largely in wood and painted a uniform dark brown/black colour. Two plates are depicted, butted longitudinally against one another. The connecting surfaces have symmetrical dovetail joints that have been connected using a lead dovetail key joint. A varnished, handwritten paper label has been applied across the two butting upright surfaces of the plates, attached by pins in each of its four corners, and marked "Plan for connecting armour to adjacent plates by dovetailed keys fitting into grooves in the butts and edges. Proposed 1863". A dovetailed groove in the longitudinal top edges of the two plates contains three lead key joints, the middle one approximately twice the length of the other two, and spanning the plates. These key joints are symmetrical when viewed in section, one half of which is slotted into the groove, the other half standing proud of the plates. The section end of one plate has a paper label applied to it marked "16".

Original size: 127 mm x 370 mm x 47 mm