From: "scott grandstaff" <scottg@s...>
(some snippage)
>    I can go on like this all day, you know. But I recon there's a
> chisel that needs identifying or a plane that needs tuning someplace.
> I bet there's a new tool being worked up right now and I'd sure like
> to see it. Who's up?
>    yours, Scott

Well Scott,
    I've just been sitting here, pawing through some old box lot detritus at
my feet--getting ready to throw it all out on the ground at the next
tailgate session.  And amongst the rust I find:

(a) an old pizza wheel leather cutter, marked, "R. Murphy, Harvard, Mass.".
The DAT tells me this was a "Boston (Harvard)" firm supposed to have done
business back to 1850, with similar names moving to Ayer, Mass in the 20th
century and a Boston mark in 1905.  I wonder when the Harvard mark dates
back to.

(b) and there is a pliers-type narrow nipper/gripper marked, "St. Pierre.
Worcester, Mass, USA, Patent Pend. No. 1".  Now I've seen this name on two
hammers marked with an 1870s patent date, and might have heard something
about them.  But the DAT, Cope's wrench book, and everything else on my
shelf is silent.  Anybody know anything about St Pierre?

(c)  and there is a firm joint outside calipers with broad tips like a screw
caliper that is marked "Thewlis & Co., Warrington".  Don Wing tells me that
this English firm was doing business making these things as early as 1820.
But I've never seen one before.  Anybody seen something by Thewlis?

(d) then there are a bunch of nippers and side cutters marked, "Weed" with
1913 and 1916 patent dates.  Nothing in my books on "Weed" either.  Anyone?

(e)  and here's a kind a neat rug stretcher (if you are into these things)
marked in green stenciled paint, "The Star."  This one has wooden arms with
a ratchet takeup that works through a piece of rope.  Never saw one before.
How many folks have one of these?

How's that for starters?

    Sandy Moss, in foggy coastal Massachusetts.

Tools for sale list at:
http://www.sydnassloot.com/