Ernest Lake Jacks

  Last updated 02 January 2024  Contact Me   Home

Database For Vintage and Classic Ern Lake Vehicle Jacks

Other vintage British car jack databases:

Vehicle/Jack Matches Index

Car Maker Branded Jacks

Armstrong Bradbury Britool (BTC) Desmo Duco Dunlop
           
DWS Engineering Enots Epco Ern Lake Eversure
           
Ford Harvey Frost King Dick Lake & Elliot Lucas Metallifacture
           
Miscellaneous Prima Read Shelley SkyHi Smiths
           
Stadium Tangye Woden Unknown    

George Radion in Australia has a database on Australian-made Jacks

This database is for vintage and classic Ernest Lake vehicle jacks.  Many of the photos and comments have been gleaned from Ebay and other sites.  I would be pleased to add photos and comments from anyone who has information on these jacks.

Please note that this information is accurate to the best of my knowledge, but I make no claims about authority on this subject. Use your own discretion when evaluating the accuracy of the information.

Ernest Lake had a business association with Lake & Elliot - hence the name. Somewhere along the line, they parted company and, whatever happened at Braintree (Lake & Elliot home), Arthur Ernest Lake moved, around 1920, and started an association with Harvey Frost in Bishop's Stortford.  While still known (or trading?) as L&E, he was also trading (or known?) as Ern or Ernest.

All Ern Lake jacks are now old.  I would recommend that they are now used only for display purposes.  If one is used for lifting a vehicle, the operator should never put them self underneath the supported area without additional load bearing equipment in place, such as block of wood. Never use bricks for this purpose.

The values are normally taken from auction sites world-wide, but exclude postage.

Request to vendors: Please feel free to use the information from these databases in your adverts. An acknowledgement of the source would be most welcome. However, please do not twist any of the information. Where I say along the lines: 'May be for car X' please make this clear in your advert. An altered statement saying: 'It is for car X' will create false facts and misinformation. If you know for certainty a jack's heritage please contact me so that I can amend the entry. Thank you.

Screw Ratchet Jacks followed by Capstan Jacks Screw Jacks, Tower Jacks and Trolley Jacks

 

 

 

Ern Lake 10B

Description

Height closed 10" and extended 16". No other details known other than in photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

1920s/1930s

Value:

Average price paid in 2015 = £9.99 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2016 = £15.00 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2017 = £10.75 - 2 sales

Average price paid in 2018 = £5.94 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2020 = £15.00 -  1 sale

 

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake B10

Description

Originally designed as an aftermarket jack for the Model T Ford. Height is 9.5", extending to 15.75". Photo courtesy of NewMoody.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

1920s/1930s

Value:

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake D10

Description

An after market jack for Ford trucks of the Model T Ford era. 10" tall, extending to 16.75".  The smaller B10 is shown alongside. Photos courtesy of NewMoody.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

1920s/1930s

Value:

Average price paid in 2014 = £5.50 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2015 = £13.03 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2016 = £10.00 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2017 = £8.74 - 2 sales

Average price paid in 2018 = £16.75 - 4 sales

Average price paid in 2019 = £21.00 - 2 sales

Average price paid in 2020 = £28.99 -  2 sales

Average price paid in 2021 = £15.11 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2022 = £18.89 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2023 = £10.99 - 1 sale

 

 












 

Ern Lake F-TEN

Description

This jack is cast F-TEN and no maker's name.  As it appears to be similar to the '10' series of jacks above and has an almost identical design we (NewMoody and myself) have decided odds on it's Ern Lake.  It measures 10.25" closed and 17" extended. The first 4 photos and details courtesy of Kris Duprey.

For comparison, the 5th photo courtesy of NewMoody shows similar jacks. From left to right, with NewMoody's comments:

 No.1  Cast ERNLAKE D10. It has a flat horizontal cog, the rest are dished with a longer upper portion.

No.2  Cast ERN-LAKE D10. The handle is two part. Note screws. A professional mod? An early production handle or a later mod to make the handle/jack easier to store?

No.3   Also ERN-LAKE D10

No.4   Cast F-TEN

No.5   L&E The saddle looks home made.

No.6   L&E

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

1920s/1930s

Value:



 

 

Ern Lake H10

Description

Only details as shown in the photos. Another jack in the '10' series shown in previous entries. It has the same base as the single lift ratchets in the next entry that featured in the R Cadisch & Sons catalogue circa 1930 which interestingly shows an H9.

Photos courtesy of Colin Taylor.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

1920s/1930s

Value:

 

 

 

Ern Lake Single Lift Ratchet

Description

Some variation to the ratchet jacks above, notably the handle. The jack comes in 2 models (G & H) and 2 lifting capacities (25cwt & 30cwt).

G7 - 25cwt, lifting rage 7" to 11.75".

G8 - 25cwt, lifting rage 8" to 13.75".

G9 - 25cwt, lifting rage 9" to 15.75".

H9 - 30cwt, lifting rage 9" to 15.25". 

Schematic from R Cadisch & Sons catalogue circa 1930 - kindly supplied by Tore Karlsson.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

1920s/1930s

Value:

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake - Unknown

Description

Unusual jack, Last picture shows ERN LAKE down the barrel but no model number. Other details as shown in the photos. in photos. Third photo shows a different jacking saddle.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Average price paid in 2014 = £5.55 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2016 = £6.50 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2021 = £17.10 -  1 sale

 

 

 

 

 

Comparative sizes of Ern Lake jacks courtesy of NewMoody 

One common feature is the spring assisted rod which applies pressure on the ‘flip-flop’ pawl, which holds it rigid in operation. The patent for this is GB207953 and was granted to Arthur Ernest Lake on 13.12.1923, following his application of 21.10.1922. A useful bit of dating.

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake S1

Description

The jack is 8.5" retracted and 17.5" extended, plus 4" on second screw. The base measures 6.5" x 4.5". It is cast ERN LAKE down one side with S1 horizontally below. The other side has numbers that are either 16/4, 14/4 or 13/4.

Applicable Vehicles:

Fordson N tractor - 1930s.

Jack Handle Type:

As shown in the second photo - courtesy of Brian Latham.

Year Dates Noted:

Circa 1922.

Value:

Average price paid in 2014 = £6.50 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2020 = £14.49 -  2 sales

Average price paid in 2023 = £7.67 - 1 sale

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake Ratchet - Cast by Leys Foundry

Description

Single screw ratchet jack 18" high when closed, extending to 28". The ribs are cast ERNEST LAKE LTD BISHOPS STORTFORD. The main body is cast LEYS and on the other side a reference number. In this example 20.78. I am reliably informed that this jack was cast for Ern Lake by the Leys foundry and the numbers for traceability that could include a date.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

Circa 1920

Value:

Average price paid in 2018 = £20.00 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2019 = £30.00 - 1 sale

 

 

Capstan Jacks

 

 
 

 

 

Ern Lake KII

Description

Ern Lake capstan jack cast ERN LAKE KII. Only other details as shown in the photo.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Average price paid in 2017 = £9.99 - 1 sale

 

 

Screw Jacks

 

 
 

 

 

Ernest Lake 2ST-2

Description

The jack is the only Ern Lake noted so far with the address Bishops Stortford. Previously Ernest Lake was part of the Lake & Elliot business at Braintree in Essex. The jack is a 2-stage screw. It measures 8.25" closed. The base is 6" x 3.5". Casting details on the base read VAN UNLADEN, SIDE LIFT, END LIFT, PAT APPLI, 737-2. Information and photos courtesy of NewMoody.

Applicable Vehicles:

Ford Thames 400E Van

Jack Handle Type:

As shown in last 2 photos.

Year Dates Noted:

Not known

Value:

Average price paid in 2014 = £33.00 - 2 sales

Average price paid in 2015 = £52.00 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2016 = £4.20 - 3 sales

Average price paid in 2017 = £14.99 - 2 sales

Average price paid in 2019 = £6.95 - 2 sales

Average price paid in 2020 = £2.50 -  1 sale

 

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake Type A5 1/4

Description

This jack is identical to the Harvey Frost Type A5 1/4 and shows the relationship between the 2 companies. See also Smiths Balloon jack which is remarkably similar.

Double screw jack. Cast ERN LAKE on one gusset and TYPE A5 1/4 on the other. 6" closed height and 12" extended. The base measures 6" x 3.75". The fourth to sixth photos show casting orientation variations and the additional HARVEY FROST & CO LTD in the sixth photo.

The final photo shows the size comparison of the Type A5 1/4 against the Type A6 in the next entry. The bases of both jacks are the same so the difference is in the height as shown. Interestingly all the casting details have been flipped on the Type 6.

All photos and details courtesy of NewMoody.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Not known

Year Dates Noted:

Not known

Value:

Average price paid in 2015 = £8.99 - 2 sales

Average price paid in 2016 = £7.50 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2017 = £9.50 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2019 = £12.99 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2020 = £10.66 -  3 sales

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake Type A6

Description

Double screw jack. It measures 6" closed and 14.25" extended. The base measures 6" x 3.75". Cast ERN LAKE on one of the gussets and TYPE A6 on the other.

The final photo shows the size comparison of the Type A6 and the Type A5 1/4 in the previous entry. The bases of both jacks are the same so the difference is in the height as shown. Interestingly all the casting details have been flipped on the Type 6.

Final photo and all details courtesy of NewMoody.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Not known but takes 3/4" square section.

Year Dates Noted:

Not known

Value:

Average price paid in 2014 = £5.19 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2017 = £2.50 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2018 = £4.99 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2019 = £11.00 - 2 sales

Average price paid in 2020 = £9.99 -  1 sale

Average price paid in 2023 = £12.25 - 1 sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake Type C

Description

Double screw jack. Cast ERN LAKE on one of the ribs and TYPE C on the other side. No other details known other than shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Not known

Year Dates Noted:

Not known

Value:

Average price paid in 2015 = £9.99 - 1 sale

 















Ern Lake Type D

Description

The Ern Lake Type D is a twin screw jack. It does not bear a name, just the casting TYPE D. Ern Lake and Harvey Frost were the only suppliers to use the word 'Type'. It is in the style of EL so has been credited to this database. EL also seem to have been the only supplier of the irregular base, the other being the 5th entry from the top. The final picture shows the similar internal casting to Lake & Elliot jacks with whom EL had a close relationship. I am always open to expert opinion!

It measures 8” closed  and 18.75" open plus a 2.5" extension. The base is 6” x  3.50 at its widest”. The pinion is 0.75" square section and the horizontal winder cog is 4" diameter. Certainly an unusual driving mechanism giving very low gearing on the winding.

All pictures and data courtesy of NewMoody.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

Not known

Value:


















Ern Lake Type 7

Description

The Ern Lake Type 7 is a twin screw jack. It measures Closed 7.5” and Open 16.5”. The base is 6” x  3.75”.

Another version associated with Harvey Frost is shown in the final 2 photographs.  The next entry also gives the link to the joint EL/HF version.

All pictures and data courtesy of NewMoody. 

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Single length rod with metal handle. 4th photo.

Year Dates Noted:

Not known

Value:

 

 

 

Ern Lake - Harvey Frost Type 7

See Harvey Frost Type 7

 

 








Ern Lake 7 Inch Balloon

Description

The Ern Lake 7 Inch Balloon is a twin screw 10 cwt jack. It measures Closed 7.25” and Open 16”. The base is 6” x  3.25”.  It is cast on one side of one rib 7 INCH BALLOON and on the other rib 10 CWT ERN LAKE. Unlike the Type 7s above this one has a casting cavity underneath the handle winder.

All pictures and data courtesy of NewMoody. 

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Not known

Year Dates Noted:

Not known

Value:

  

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake No. 245

Description

The jack is a single screw, measuring 9.25" closed and 11.25" extended. Only casting details as shown in the first photo. Information and photos courtesy of NewMoody. The 4th image is from a Ford WOT2 handbook.

The 5th picture, courtesy of 'Broadbent Yorkshire', shows the correct handle. It measures 15" long x 1" wide and 0.25" thick. As can be seen it appears to double up as a tyre lever.

Applicable Vehicles:

Ford WOT2 truck

Jack Handle Type:

As shown in 5th photo. 15" long x 1" wide x 1/4" thick.

Year Dates Noted:

Not known

Value:

Average price paid in 2014 = £5.50 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2015 = £16.24 - 4 sales

Average price paid in 2020 = £9.16 -  3 sales

 

 

 

 

Ernest Lake 1 Ton

Description

This jack is unusual in that it is the only jack to date that I have seen with the complete ERNEST LAKE name cast.  It is a 3-stage screw jack, surprisingly similar in design to the Harvey Frost Crackerjacks (third photo, Ernest Lake is second from the left). It is cast 1 TON ERNEST LAKE LTD EL 1961 9430538 on one side and WD REG DGN No 841257. It is 5" closed. Photos and Information courtesy of NewMoody.

943 0538 are the last digits of the NATO Stock Number (NSN) 5120 99 943 0538, listed in the Complete Equipment Scedule (CES). The actual wording is: "Jack, screw hand 1 triple closed h 5.1/4 in open h 14/2 c/w 30 in lg handle Def Stan 51-3 Table A - 1 Ton". Information courtesy of Mark Cook.

The 4th and 5th pictures are courtesy of Gerald at green Valley Studio in Belgium. These show the jack to be triple screw. Unlike the other jacks this one is cast ERN LAKE LTD and does not have the military casting. It is dated 1983. Extended height is 14.1".

The final 4 pictures of the grey jack are new old stock LandRover acquired in May 2023. Pictures courtesy of Andrew Nicholls.

Applicable Vehicles:

Military Land Rover Series 2A and 3, 88 and 109 1/2 Ton vehicles and 3/4 Ton. Information courtesy of Mark Cook, author of the 'The Half Ton Military Land Rover'.

Jack Handle Type:

Single rod about 3 feet long (checking exact length with owner).

Year Dates Noted:

1961. The UK War Department or War Office became the UK MoD in 1964.

1964, 1974, 1983

Value:

Average price paid in 2015 = £10.50 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2017 = £15.54 - 4 sales

Average price paid in 2018 = £15.86 - 3 sales

Average price paid in 2019 = £13.50 - 1 sale

 














Ern Lake 1 Ton GPO

Description

This jack is a 1 Ton triple screw jack and almost identical to a Harvey Frost GPO jack. The similarities and differences are shown in the final 2 photos, most obvious of which is the circular jacking plate. The jack is cast 1 TON ERNEST LAKE Ltd on one side and GPO REG DGN No. 841257. Photos courtesy NewMoody. 

Applicable Vehicles:

GPO vehicles (type not known).

Jack Handle Type:

Probably two piece rectangular section with metal cross piece, same as the HF variant.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

 

 

 

Ern Lake 4 Ton

Description

Twin screw jack measuring 6.25" closed and 19" extended. The base is 6" diameter. Cast ERN LAKE 4 TON DL on one side and 1968 201-4907 on the other. The additional arrow by the date indicates it was for a military order.

Applicable Vehicles:

Daimler Ferret Scout Car 1952 to 1962.

Jack Handle Type:

As shown in last photo

Year Dates Noted:

1968

Value:

Average price paid in 2013 = £11.74 - 2 sales

Average price paid in 2015 = £0.99 - 1 sale

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake Major 9

Description

The Major 9 is a single screw jack. Cast MAJOR 9 on one side and ERN LAKE SCREW JACK on the other. It measures 9.5" closed and 15.5" extended. The base measures 5.5" x 3.5".

The 3rd photo shows an identical cast jack for the Smiths Minor 9 with only the winder mechanism castings and screw shaft varying in thread thickness and pitch.

All photos and data courtesy of NewMoody.

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known

Jack Handle Type:

Not known.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

 

 

 

 

 

Tower Screw Jacks

 

 
 

 

 

Ern Lake Tower Jack

Description

The jack is a 4 Ton 6.5" triple screw jack. It is cast ERN LAKE 4 TON 6 1/2 INCH TOWER JACK PATS 197859 872871. No inscription or casting on the other side.

See also Harvey Frost Type 92 and Epco Tower jacks

Applicable Vehicles:

Not known but possibly the same as the SIF variant below.

Jack Handle Type:

As shown in 2nd photo.

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Average price paid in 2014 = £62.99 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2018 = £24.97 - 2 sales

Average price paid in 2019 = £47.50 - 2 sales

Average price paid in 2021 = £12.50 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2022 = £22.50 - 2 sales

Average price paid in 2023 = £22.50 - 2 sales

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake Tower Jack - SIF Casting

Description

The jack is a 4 Ton 6.5" triple screw jack. Casting details shown in 3rd and 4th photos. SIF stands for Suffolk Iron Foundry - makers of the Suffolk lawn mowers. Note also the extension in the 5th photo. This jack would have been produced in wartime by SIF for Ern Lake military contracts.

Applicable Vehicles:

Universal Carrier (Bren Gun) 002, 325, 329, 331, 333and 335.

Jack Handle Type:

As shown in 5th photo.

Year Dates Noted:

1942

Value:

Average price paid in 2014 = £41.99 - 2 sales

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake Tower Jack - Harvey Frost Casting

Description

The jack is identical to the one above except for some casting detail. It is a 4 Ton 6.5" triple screw jack. This version shows that it was cast by Harvey Frost for a military contract during WW2. Note also the extension in the 4th photo. Information and photos courtesy of Ron Pier.

Applicable Vehicles:

Universal Carrier (Bren Gun) 002, 325, 329, 331, 333and 335.

Jack Handle Type:

As shown in the 4th photo.

Year Dates Noted:

1939

Value:

Average price paid in 2014 = £35.50 - 5 sales

Average price paid in 2015 = £44.39 - 5 sales

Average price paid in 2016 = £53.50 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2017 = £7.50 - 1 sale

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake - Britool

Description

This tower jack is 2 ton made by Ern Lake for Britool. It measures 6.5" closed.  The base measures 6" square.  Full casting details shown in the attached photos. Information and first 2 photos courtesy of NewMoody.

Information received from Michael Lavelle indicates that this jack was supplied with  Bedford military vehicles during WW2.

The photos of the black jack show the full extension of the jack and the handles. The plaque is made of brass and the chain may be for an extension piece as was used on the larger 4 ton jack below.

Applicable Vehicles:

Bedford MW 15cwt Truck.

Jack Handle Type:

As shown in 4th photo.

Year Dates Noted:

1940, 1942, 1943, 1944

Value:

Average price paid in 2014 = £35.95 - 2 sales

 

 

Trolley Jacks

 

 
 

 

 

Ern Lake Ford Garage

Description

This workshop jack is cast THE ERN LAKE FORD GARAGE JACK. No other details known.

Applicable Vehicles:

Military but not known

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Average price paid in 2013 = £45.00 - 1 sale

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake Morris Garage

Description

This workshop jack is cast THE ERN LAKE MORRIS GARAGE JACK. PATENT 160327. No other details known.

Applicable Vehicles:

Garage jack

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

Value:

Average price paid in 2015 = £25.00 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2016 = £4.00 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2018 = £32.00 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2019 = £4.46 - 2 sales

Average price paid in 2020 = £21.25 -  2 sales

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake Universal Garage Jack

Description

This workshop jack is cast ERN LAKE UNIVERSAL GARAGE JACK. Patent Nos: 155700 & 160927. No other details known.

Applicable Vehicles:

General purpose jack

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Average price paid in 2014 = £22.99 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2020 = £15.00 -  2 sales

 

 

 

Ern Lake Junior Garage Jack - 1

Description

This Junior trolley jack has a plaque cast as follows: THE ERN LAKE JUNIOR GARAGE JACK. Above the casting is 8/1.

Applicable Vehicles:

Garage jack jack

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Average price paid in 2016 = £11.11 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2019 = £29.99 - 1 sale

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake Junior Trolley Jack - 2

Description

This beautifully restored Junior trolley jack has a plaque cast as follows: FOR CARS UP TO 2500LBS / ERN LAKE / JUNIOR TROLLEY JACK / ERNEST LAKE LTD / BISHOPS STORTFORD HERTS / PATENTS 5728 AND PENDING. Photos courtesy of Ray Smith.

Applicable Vehicles:

Garage jack

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Average price paid in 2020 = £55.00 -  1 sale

 

 

 

 

Ern Lake Medium Trolley Jack

Description

Medium trolley jack. Only details as shown in the photos.

Applicable Vehicles:

Garage jack

Jack Handle Type:

Integrated

Year Dates Noted:

 

Value:

Average price paid in 2016 = £9.99 - 1 sale

Average price paid in 2018 = £20 - 1 sale

 

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