Green’s Dictionary of Slang

used to describe anything that is operated by hand rather than by machinery.

[1864		in Farmer & Henley Sl. and Its Analogues (1890–1904) II 35: Captain Armstrong is again abroad, muscular and powerful, riding his favorite hobby in the steeple-chase field, pre-paring thus early in the season for pulling, stopping, and putting the strings on.].
[1889		Barrere & Leland Dict. Sl. I 45: Armstrong, Captain (turf), a dishonest jockey. ‘He came Captain Armstrong’ is equivalent to saying that the rider pulled with a strong arm, thus preventing his horse from winning.].
1897		Amer. Engineer Feb. 51/2: Get it into place on the car with the old-fashioned ‘armstrong’ method.
1914		DN IV 102: Armstrong, adj. Operated by the arm as opposed to machinery; — used jocosely of scythes, sickles or saws, etc. 1920 in Dict. Canadianisms.
1926		Maines & Grant Wise-crack Dict. 5/1: Armstrong Wheeler — Wheelbarrow when a hobo has to use it.
1942		B.H. Porter ‘Truck Driver Lingo’ in AS XVII:2 Pt 1 102: armstrong starter crank handle.
1953		Randolph & Wilson Down in the Holler 224: armstrong: n. A crude, primitive tool or implement.
1955		M.W. Frazier ‘Truck Drivers’ Language’ in AS XXX:2 91: ARMSTRONG STARTER, n. A hand crank.