19th Cent English MILL BILL

19th Cent Mill Bill used by a Millwright to dress the stones in a windmill or water mill.

The oak handle is known as a Thift and the bill known as the Pick.

The Pick was not merely a block of iron but a specially made 'tempered' piece of hardened steel to cut through the stone.

An experience Millwright was known as 'Iron Fisted' as tiny flecks of iron would spark off and embed in their wrists.

A mill at it's peak would have it's stones redressed every 6 - 8 weeks.