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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: jennywren001 on Wednesday 17 September 14 09:54 BST (UK)

Title: Heckle Fitter
Post by: jennywren001 on Wednesday 17 September 14 09:54 BST (UK)

Hi,
I've got a young lad down as a heckle fitter on the 1851 census - all the others in the household are down as shoemakers. Any idea what this is?
Jen

Title: Re: Heckle Fitter
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 17 September 14 10:45 BST (UK)

A heckle is an instrument for combing or scutching flax or hemp, could also be for horse hair.
A Hackle is a comb with coarsely set teeth. A Hackler Machine is one in which short and weak fibres are removed by the action of steel pins. There were various types of Hackler; Brush Fibre; Textile Mill; Hair; Horse Hair; Manilla Hemp; Whalebone Bristles etc.

Stan

Title: Re: Heckle Fitter
Post by: jennywren001 on Wednesday 17 September 14 11:20 BST (UK)

Thanks Stan- I had it in my head it was something to do with horses!
Jen