Mystery Photo - WW1 Munitions Factory Girl

[Montagu]

I have taken this photo from an original glass negative which I recently bought. The negative came from a series of images taken in a WW1 munitions factory. (I don't have the others.)

Does anyone have any idea as to what the girl is doing? I like this picture and I'm hoping that somebody out there might have the answer. Please share your ideas, if you have any. I will be grateful for any information.

 

[millsbomber]

What ever she's making it is soft soldering she is doing .... Dave

 

[Montagu]

Thanks Dave. That's a helpful start!

 

[jonnyc]

Looks like she's welding or braising some kind of feed device or a handling part for the machinery.

 

[sksvlad]

I assume you live in the birthplace of tanks. So hopefully the picture portrays a European factory. My knowledge of machine guns is minuscule, and I think it is not a Chauchat magazine, but maybe it is a Lewis magazine being made? Probably not, too big for Lewis.

 

[Spaceinvader]

Some type of clip for a machine gun? Like a Breda M37 clip?

 

[assafx]

maybe a part of chauchat magazine?

 

[skull181]

It looks like some sort of ornamental grill/fire guard??

Lovely picture by the way, very interesting.

 

[siegfreid]

Look at the girl's eyes . TOTAL concentration on doing a good job she has been well trained for , whatever it is . Pity you don't see that level of commitment in the eyes of modern youngsters except when looking at their 'phones for a social media update..........

 

[Montagu]

Many thanks indeed millsbomber, jonnyc, sksvlad,Spaceinvader, assafx, skull181 and siegfried for your interesting thoughts. They have given me some ideas to follow.....

Yes, sksvlad, I live between the town where so many SD2s fell and the birthplace of the tanks. I'll be heading for the latter shortly.

I totally agree with your wise words, siegfried! It's great when a photograph says something like this one does. Even if I never find out exactly what she's doing, it will always be a fine, original image of the time!

Here is a close-up of what she's making. It probably doesn't help further but it shows the shape of all the 'points' better.

 

[starshell]

Just a guess, but judging by what look like curved 'blades', possibly part of an early steam turbine maybe?? Or an early vehicle radiator panel?