While not one of my "normal" collected pieces (I don't even drink!), this bar tool is something a little different and yes, old!
This is a Jigger, a tool used to accurately measure liquids, particularly when making cocktails and achieving a consistent measure with each creation. Sure, lots of people use the "hit and miss" judge the liquid amount with the eye but a jigger can make sure that each and every drink you create is the same.
Two measures, the larger being the "jigger shot" and the smaller is the "pony shot"
The jigger is NOT intended to be drunk from! It is a measuring tool, not a "shot glass"
Nice touch is the side handle which allows for easy "flipping" from one size to the other
Most unusual is that added touch of the WESTERN AUSTRALIA badge (with the Black Swan) on the side, like a souvenir teaspoon
LIQUID JIGGER
Manufacturer is not indicated and is unknown
Estimated circa 1970's
Silver Plated
E.P.N.S stamped into the base metalwork of the "Pony"
Intended for the souvenir market, WESTERN AUSTRALIA badge on one side
Thumb/Finger side handle
DIMENSIONS:
65.75mm height x 42.65mm (Jigger Shot) or 33.45mm (Pony Shot)
Round handle 38.5mm length
WEIGHT: 65g
LIQUID MEASURED
Jigger: 1 Oz (confirmed)
Pony: unknown!
I have extremely limited liquid measuring equipment (my wife's measuring cups!) but did establish that the Jigger holds exactly 1 Oz however I cannot pour a measured (smaller) amount into the Pony and know what the amount of liquid is - perhaps 1/2 Oz but that's just a guess.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
It shines brightly!
Yes, I have cleaned this Silver Plate (sorry to those who love their patina but fair go! this is going to hold liquid that you pour down your throat, it MUST be clean and look great too) When it comes to Silver, some love their Silver plate to have that dirty Brown/Yellow look - if I was a bar person, the last measuring tool I would use would be a dirty looking jigger!
By the way, cleaning was made using the Bi-Carb Soda (Baking Soda) technique - NO AGGRESSIVE CHEMICALS
NO discolouration or wear to the Silver plating
Western Australia badge is undamaged
Inside the measures are both very clean although I can see a very light change in colour at the base of each ... I cleaned repeatedly and this does not "go away"
SLIGHT/LIGHT damage to the rim of the jigger shot bowl - a very small (more noticeable with the finger than the eye) "nick" in the edge - nothing dramatic!
NO damage to the side handle
In an attempt to maintain the nice shiny Silver look for as long as possible, I have now sealed this jigger into a clear plastic pack
