Skeletons - Bourton (Dorset), Bruton, Dulverton, Fivehead, and Lydeard St Laurence (Lawrence)

A skeleton postmark is a circular datestamp made up from loose metal type. Skeletons are brought into use when an office's handstamp is damaged, mislaid or being updated, usually for a short period, then returned to the Post Office stores for reuse.  

Here are a few skeletons, starting with a "BOURTON / WINCANTON SO" skeleton used in February 1909.  Bourton is in Dorset but came under Wincanton.  The skeleton is known in use from 9th February to 20th March 1909.

The "BRUTON / SOMERSET" skeleton below is known used between 31st August and 25th September 1926.
 

The "DULVERTON SOMERSET" skeleton below is only known used on 26th May 1911.

Skeletons were normally metal (with removable type) but there are also skeleton climax rubber cancels, as shown in the example below from Fivehead.  This skeleton cancel is only known used on 1st and 2nd November 1907.

Here is another rubber skeleton cancel, from Lydeard St Lawrence - the cancel is mispelt as Laurence.  The cancel is only known used on 11th December 1913.