An early Stuart Turner vertical engine, a scaled down version of their No.1 with single-sided column and crosshead running in guide plates. Smaller than the early type No.4, I have a vague memory that the 7A was originally made as a No.7 in this form - no doubt one of our Stuart experts will let me know. Whilst the No.1 design has remained largely unchanged since it was launched at the end of the nineteenth century, later engine designs adopted a cast trunk guide, making it easier for the tyro to machine, but looking nothing like as elegant. Quite rare we see this design nowadays - we had the mortal remains of a similar, although slightly bigger No.4 earlier in the year (pictures in the archive here), but most of the Stuart vertical engines we've had in over the years have been of the later type with cast trunk guide. A beautifully made engine, silky smooth to turn over, standard of machining good throughout.
