TAP

Cast copper alloy barrel tap with a T-shaped tap key, with arms that are circular in section, which is slotted into the cylindrical socket or trunnion. The key turns within the trunnion to allow the liquid to flow through an opening to the spout. The key opened and closed a valve, and below the socket, the projecting housing in which the valve turned was adjustable by a slotted screw head. The barrel tap has a circular sectioned spigot which tapers towards the end for fitting into the barrel. The end of the spigot has four parallel longitudinal rows of four holes to restrict the flow of liquid. The base row is damaged so that two of the holes have become one longer aperture and the one closest to the terminal of the spigot is open to that edge. The entire spigot is covered with fine parallel longitudinal striations and ridges to help to hold it in the barrel. From the end of the spigot the tap expands into two opposing threaded trunnions preceding the spout. The spout is also circular in section and curves downwards to allow the flow of liquid. A flat-ended rectangular projection extends from a shouldered reinforcement around the outer curve of the spout, which would receive the blows of a mallet when the tap was driven into the barrel.

The whole tap is 145.6 mm long; the spout is 33 mm long, 19 mm wide and 18 mm in diameter; the key and trunnion are 77 mm high and 20 mm in diameter and the key is 10 mm thick; the spigot is 76 mm long, 21 mm in diameter and 2 mm thick; and the whole tap weighs 194.03g.

Bailey (1993) illustrates a barrel tap with a similar T-shaped tap key and spout on page 62, No.18, which is dated from the 18th to the mid 19th century.

Margeson (1993) illustrates a barrel tap with a similar spigot, trunnion and spout on page 137, Fig.102, No.932, which is dated from c.1750, and refers to the flat-topped T-shaped key as 18th century in date.