The patent no 1430, taken out by S. Hawkins on June 6th 1861 refers to the winding mechanism for extending the table. The patent abridgement describes "a series of concentric screws is so arranged that by operating one screw motion is transmitted to other screws, which then move outwards or inwards from the ends of the first screw". This is then explained fully with an annotated diagram.
We are grateful to the British Library Science Reference and Information Service for their assistance in researching this patent.
Another Victorian dining table from Bramerton Hall, Norfolk, with a similar label was sold in these rooms lot 244 on 29th November 1995.