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M-WTCA.ORG A highly decorated 17th-18th century Austrian goose wing axe. Story begins on page 24.

June 2004 No. 115 FROM THE PRESIDENT

N. 115 June, 2004 Copyright 2004 by Mid-West Tool Collectors As­ sodation, Inc. All rights reserved.www.mwtca.org

Changing of the Guard Editor Mary Lou Stover S76W19954 Prospect Dr. ft is difficult for Muskego, WI 53150 all our members and myself our sincere Associate Editor Roger K. Smith 1~some of us to accept appreciation and thanks. Contributing Editor Thomas Lamond change or realign - Advertising Manager Paul Gorham ment in our lives. I After I recovered from the shock, it THE GRISTMILL is the ofrcial publication of the Mid-West Tool Collectors Associa­ occurred to me that it was my responsi­ tion. Inc. Published quarterly in March, June, September and December. found this would be The purpose of the association is to promote the preservation, study and a necessity when bility to find an editor. The Gristmill is, understanding of ancient tools, implements and devices of farm , home, industry and shop of the pioneers: also. to study the crafts in which these objects were I received a phone in my opinion, the main cog of M-WTCA used and the craftsmen who used them: and to share knowledge and understand­ and therefore it was important to find a ing with others, especially where it may benei't restoration, museums and like call from Mary Lou institutions. Stover, the editor of capable and dedicated member to take this publication, in on this job. President Willie Royal 215 Anthony Circle, Charlotte, NC 28211-1417 early February. The call was to inform I was fortunate and M-WTCA is (704) 366-7081 me that she would like to resign as edi­ Vice-President Doug Cox fortunate that we found the right person tor after the June issue. Mary Lou felt it 2938 Cynthiana Rd., Georgetown, KY 40324-9272 to serve as our new editor. Dave Heckel (502) 863-1407 was time for her to take time to enjoy has agreed to take this position. Dave has Vice-President George Wanamaker her other interests that often had to be 312 S. Lafayette, Macomb, IL 61455-2233 served as president, vice president and is (309) 836-6872 pushed aside due to deadlines. currently serving as a director. Dave has Vice-President Ed Hobbs 4417 Inwood Road, Raleigh, NC 27603-3315 Mary Lou has been our editor for the knowledge, ability and dedication to (919) 828-2754 the past ten years and was co-editor publish a Gristmill that will carry us into Vice-President Donald Rosebrook 38352 Henry Road, Prairieville, lA 70769-4708 for five years prior to this tenure. This the future. On behalf of all of our members (225) 673-4049 position is a difficult and time consuming and myself, let me express to you, Dave, Treasurer John Wells job and she did an outstanding job in all our sincere appreciation. P.O. Box 8016, Berkeley, CA 94707-8016 (510) 848-3651 respects and has had a strong influence Mary Lou and Dave will work to­ Secretary Tom Lamond on our well being due to the quality of 30 Kelsey Place, Lynbrook, NY 11563-1516 gether to have a smooth transition for the the Gristmill. She has been a dedicated (516) 596-1281 changing of the guard later this year. Directors trooper and a friend to all. It has been a Area A AreaJ James Preusser, 2004 Mike Urness, 2005 pleasure working with Mary Lou and I - Willie Royal Wayne Anderson, 2005 Joel Hodapp, 2006 would like to express to her on behalf of Eric Mattson, 2006 Lloyd Henley, 2006 Area B Area K Mike Hanley, 2004 Steve Bruder, 2004 Bob Kloes, 2005 Sam Strauss Jr., 2005 Gary Kane, 2006 Andy Hart, 2006 AreaC Area L Lars Larson, 2004 Don Jordan, 2005 Michael Slasinski, 2005 Area M John Sindelar, 2006 Gene Epting, 2004 AreaD Doug Fowler, 2006 JUNE, 2004 • No. 115 Jim Escher, 2004 Area N LeRoy Witzel, 2005 Phil Baker, 2004 Fred Leu, 2006 Nelson Coressel, 2005 Area E Vincent Soukup, 2006 Bob Green, 2004 AreaO Ent llffiES ESSUJ! Ralph Brendler, 2005 Alan Foster, 2004 Dave Heckel, 2006 Rod Galster, 2005 Slav Jelesijevich, 2006 Robert Gilmore, 2006 Area F Area P Jan Cover, 2004 Mark Eastlick, 2004 Matt Borders, 2005 Tim Bailey, 2005 Carl Bilderback, 2006 Jason Miller, 2005 Norman Heckman, 2006 William Warner, 2006 Area G AreaQ Meet Reports From Georgia to Wisconsin, M-WTCA folks had fun and Dan Gaier, 2004 Pat Medley, 2004 John Kesterson, 2005 Bob Fields, 2005 Dennis Eckstein, 2006 Robert Oehman 2006 saw a lot of tools. Page 4. Area H Area R John Delay, 2004 Martin Donnelly, 2004 M-WTCA.ORGPhil Whitby, 2005 Walter Karsten, 2006 Going, Going, Gone The bidding was fast and furious at two recent Area I Gregor Mszar, 2004 antique tool auctions. Page 10. David McDonald, 2005 Bud Blake, 2006 Committee Chairman Measuring America A surveyor's own words tell the tale of mapping the Meeting Planning Doug Cox Elections George Wanamaker Scholarship Don Rosebrook old West. Page 14. GRISTMILL Managing Editor Mary Lou Stover Special Publications James Conover Cover Story A look at early European axes reveals the history that has By-Laws and Policy Ray Nissen Whatsit James Mau Family Assistance Don Riley shaped axe making. Page 24. Marion Henley Award Ron Pearson Displays & Awards John Walkowiak Address Labels Kerry McCalla The Dragon Ship An account of the effort to build a replica of an 11th Publications Mailings Ann Henley Scrapbook Barb & Mike Slasinski Internet Don Bosse century Viking Drakkar. Page 34. Membership Ed Hobbs www.mwtca.org The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 2 MARK THESE ON YOUR CALENDAR stables where Clydesdale horses are kept. After the tram tour, guests will be taken across the street where former M-WTCA president Jim Price will guide a behind­ the-scenes tour of White Haven, home to Mr. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant from 1854 Mid-West Tool Collecton Association National Meetings to 1859. A picnic lunch will be served on the grounds of White Haven. Spring, 2004 June 17, 18, 19, 2004. Akron, OH. George Elsass & Carolyn List (614) At the meeting, Tom Lamond will 888-0591. John & Julie Kesterson (330) 753-2751. present a program on "Hardware House Fall, 2004 Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2004. St. Louis, MO. Mike Urness ((3 14) 434-4325. Brands of St. Louis and Environs." Spring, 2005 June 16-18, 2005. Decatur, IL. Dave & Judy Heckel (217) 345-9112. Price's topic will be bitstock tools, a subject on which he is an expert. The M-WTCA Area 8: Other Meetings M -WTCA display theme will be boring tools and will include braces, geared drills and other tools used to bore. In 2004 Meetings addition, craftsmen will demonstrate the Area Q Meet July 24. Raleigh, NC. Ed Hobbs (919) 828-2754 use of traditional tools. Area E Meet Aug. 1. LaFox, IL. Dick Chapman (815) 492-2124 Area N Meet Aug. 13-14. Maitland, FL. Paul Mikula (407) 365-4686 A special guest has been obtained Area R Meet Aug. 21. Avoca, NY. Martin Donnelly (800) 869-0695 to entertain following the banquet on Area C Meet Aug. 28. Edwardsburg, Ml. John Sindelar (269) 663-8841 Saturday night. Area F Meet Aug. 29. South Whitley, IN, Jan Cover (765) 523-3586 The committee encourages every­ Area A+B Meet Sept.11-12. Rochester, MN. Hollis Feeser(507) 282-3175 one to come early and/or stay late and Area P Meet Sept. 12. Lancaster, PA. Bill Warner (717) 843-8105 to explore the city that was the gateway Area D Meet Oct. 24. Omaha, NE. Fred Leu (402) 592-1907 to westward expansion. Besides the fan­ Area N Meet Nov. 5. Barberville, FL. Phil Baker (941) 485-6981 tastic cuisine, numerous historic sites Area Q Meet Nov. 6 Charlotte, NC, Bob Fields (704) 393-1282 and four area antique districts, there are Area E Meet Nov. 14 Virden, IL. Jim Moffet (217) 439-7358 a number of day trips visitors can take, Area N Meet Nov. 20. Blountstown, FL. Willard Smith (850) 674-8055 including those to the wineries in Augusta or Herman, MO, for the Octoberfest cel­ ebrations or a drive up the River Road 2005 Meetings between Alton and Grafton, IL. Make Area N Meet Feb. 3, 4 & 5. Madison, GA. Phil Baker (941) 485-6981 your reservations early as rooms will Area F Meet Feb. 18-19. Spencer, IN. Matt Borders (812) 824-9318 sell out quickly. Area B Meet Feb. 27. St. Francis, WI. Gary Kane (609) 877-9290 Area E Meet April 3. Loves Park, IL. Gary Johnson (815) 636-1464. For more information, contact host Mike Urness at (314) 434-4325 or by email at [email protected] or Dates must be cleared with Gary Johnson (815) 636-1464. E-Mail [email protected] hostess Jayne Rockenstein by email at [email protected]. Meet Me in St. Louis Ladies Auxiliary he year 2004 finds St. Louis celebrating The parking lot is not as big as some l both the 100th anniversary of the St. we've had in the past, but there should One hundred years ago people from Louis World's Fair and the 200th anniver­ be enough room so that everyone who around the world met in St. Louis to sary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. wants a space will have one. There is very celebrate the discoveries of the 20th century. With that in mind, the plan­ The members of Area J are proud to be limited space (back row only) for motor ners chose "The Age of Discovery, The hosting this year's M-WTCA fall national homes or camper trailers, and they must Beginning of the 20th Century" as the meeting from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at the St. be completely self-contained. Auxiliary's display theme. This will in­ Louis Airport Marriott Hotel. M-WTCA.ORGThe committee has planned two bus clude any items that pertain to that time This is the same hotel at which the tours for Thursday. The first will go to period; such as fashions, kitchen items, organization has met twice previously. Forest Park, site of the 1904 World's dolls, toys, books, etc. The treasures of It is directly across Interstate 70 from Fair. This tour will feature stops at the today were the ideas of yesterday. the St. Louis International Airport, also History Museum, the Jewel Box and a known as Lambert Field. picnic lunch near the new Boat House Please come and join us for a fun which was designed by our very own time. A show featuring early 20th cen­ tury fashions and a program on antique All rooms at the Marriott have re­ Laurent J. Torno Jr. The second tour will and collectible dolls are planned. Don't cently been renovated, and M-W has se­ be to Grant's Farm in South St. Louis forget to bring your show and tell items cured a favorable rate of $89 per night. County. It will feature a tram tour of the grounds where you will see numer­ for the Show N' Tell/First-Timers pro­ As usual, the meeting will begin gram. There will be a lot of fun things with tailgating Thursday morning in ous exotic animals, Ulysses S. Grant's "Hardscrabble" cabin home and the planned for women so please plan to the parking lot directly behind the hotel. "Meet Me In St. Louis" Sept. 30.

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 3 MEETINGS, MEMBERSHIP NEWS & MISCELLANY

Cabin Fever Tool Meeting in York, PA

by WjHjam Warner

anuazy weather is unpredictable. This Jyear, York, PA, had some unusually cold weather which stopped all but the most hearty from tailgating early Satur­ day morning. The Saturday tool auction was well attended. Many choice tools were on the auction block, and the strong bidding re­ flected the quality and rarity of the tools up for sale. The Sunday dealer show/sale had The best display award at the York, PA, meeting was this exhibit on Disston saw sharpening 178 members/spouses attending. Forty­ by Jay Kern and Steve Cooke. seven trade tables full of quality tools allowed everyone to have their fill of tool Great displays and demonstrations hunting. When looking around the trade first, for a beautiful set of large trammel were featured, and active trading was room, one could see a lot of smiles, either points and to Carl Bilderback, second, for evident throughout the day. from good buys or good sales. his Stanley No. 7 first model, circa 1905. Norm Lang's name was drawn as the This year's displays centered around Jay Kem and Steve Cooke won the first-time attendee prize winner. Prizes layout and measuring tools. Award win­ best display for the second year in a included a tool T-shirt, book and box of ners included: Best in Theme, Jim Preusser row. This year's display was Disston tool chocolate candy with his "Tools of the Surveyor" display; saw sharpening equipment. Bob Rau­ Best Single Tool, Wayne Gustafson, with hauser won second for a display of calf Pete Callen demonstrated plane­ a very rare Duval's Patented Adjustable weaning devices. Norm Nelson's coopers making and gave audience members a Dado Plane; Best Out of Theme, Bill Er­ plane was third. I also wish to publicly chance to try out their skills at making icson, a rare Stephen McCellan, patented thank Narm for making and giving me a shavings. Universal Brace and Drill; Peoples Choice, working model of a patented plow plane Mike Hanley also drew interested Lee Osterbauer, a magnificent tool chest, handle that was patented from York in participants to discuss the difference in 1870. I know of no existing examples of and Best Women's Display, Pat Feeser, new and old planes. "Making Charity Quilts." patent 102,630, but I now have an ex­ ample, thanks to Norm's generosity. Hosts Sue Tubman and Mazy Lou Sto­ Retiring director Don Bosse gracious­ ver received a lot of hands-on help at the ly accepted an award for his six years of On Sept. 12, Area P will have its meeting from Milo and Arlene Fritchen, service to Area A. end of summer tailgating picnic near Jane Giese and Hanley. Lancaster. Once again, at this year's meet, Area B new director Gazy Kane is Wayne Anderson, world famous plane planning next year's meeting in St. Fran­ maker from Elk River, presented a hand­ M-WTCA.ORGcis for Feb. 27. crafted miter plane. He donated the excep­ Leaping at Tools tionally-crafted plane as a door prize. The auction committee did an out­ ll\ lot of folks spend the extra day of Leap Record Tumout in Medina standing job. Special thanks goes out El\Year doing what they like to do best to auction committee Chair Bill Watkins - hunting and buying antique tools. Bx Jjm Preusser and Christian Haugen and Richard Turpen More than 200 people showed up at Also we would like to extend our thanks the 11th annual Carol Lomax Memorial to Bob Daudt for serving as Cabin Fever Meeting in St. Francis, WI. That included M[-WTCA tool collectors met at the auctioneer. ~ Ul 7th annual Cabin Fever Tool Meet a large number of our good neighbors A heartfelt thank you goes out to and Auction in Medina, MN. A record from Illinois on a spring-like day. demonstrators who shared their knowl­ number of 213 members attended with edge and skills to make this year's meet Display awards went to Dan Hess, 12 new members joining at the me~ting. so successful. The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 4 The owner's investigation concluded this is the only known, non-broken, example of this rare piece which fits over a horse's head and around his neck and determines the breath of the horse and the size of the neck for a collar. Collars were sized ac­ cording to the reading on the apparatus. There was also a documented 1840 bevel and a rare patented panel plane. One Arkansas collector brought two mystery items. At first, the 30-pound maul with a curved face was thought to be a bridge riveting tool but then was positively identified as a device used to grind gold ore. One member verified the existence of a similar maul device in a Missouri university restored assay shop. Another mystery item started out as a silage cutter, then was a roof tile cutter, Bill Erickson's Stephen McClellan patented universal brace and drill was named Best Out of but the V shape in the cutter finally con­ Theme at the Medina, MN, meet. Jim Preusser photo. firmed the large and heavy lever-operated device to be a broom com trimmer used by a broom maker. Restoration Theme of Area Q's Winter Meet Our meet has been hosted by Area Carolina" and a restored Aladdin No.6 I and supported strongly by the Area A Bx Pat Medlex kerosene mantle lamp, circa 1914-1917. members in Missouri. Oddly enough, over half the folks who attend, do not belong January 2004 M-WTCAArea Q meet- to any tool club but we have been work­ Jhe ing on them. ing was held in Hillsborough, N. C., with Ground Hog Sees No seventy members and guests attending, Historically, the meet grew from a including a member from Ireland. Shadow' But Lots of Tools small group of non-tool folks with admir­ In addition to trade tables for buying, ers all over the Midwest. selling, looking and shopping, members By Emery Goad Spring conflicts from boat shows were treated to "Tool Restoration" dem­ and weddings at the Northeast Arkansas onstrations by several members. he 17th Annual Ground Hog Day Tool convention, center has caused us to look Jerrie Nall and Kathy Barry gave a JMeet happened Feb. 14 at Springdale, at other areas particularly when the meet program on the future Textile Heritage AR. is held on Valentine's weekend (where Museum and the restoration of the historic else would a tool collector want to be on water-powered 1880 Glencoe Cotton Mill About 150 collectors browsed 70 ta­ Valentine's weekend?). Next year, the and Mill Village in Alamance County, N. C. bles. At least 7 states were represented. meeting may be moved to the Clarion The purpose of the museum is to preserve Hotel in Rogers, a part of the one million A rare C. S. Osborne-marked horse population metro area and world head­ and interpret history of the Southern Tex­ collar wood rule apparatus showed up. tile Industry with emphasis on Alamance quarters of the Wal-Mart Corp. County. Glencoe Mill and Mill Village is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as "a very significant site represen­ tative of the Southern TextileM-WTCA.ORG Mill Village and its role in the industrialization of the American South." Preservation North Carolina, a pri­ vate, statewide, non-profit preservation group, purchased the property in 1997 and is bringing Glencoe back to life by selling houses in the village to individuals inter­ ested in restoration. Many of its 32 original houses are now being restored. Area Q presented the Textile Heritage Museum with a copy of "A Guide to the Speaker Kathy Barry (left) and Jerri Nall admired the kerosene mantle lamp presented by Area Historic Architecture of Piedmont North Q to the Textile Heritage Museum in North Carolina.

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 5 MEETINGS, MEMBERSHIP NEWS & MISCELLANY

Peach Meet a Winner full of tools and the buzz was there. A late ar­ Bx Phil Baker rival was able to set up in one of t\1ne hundred tables of tools, two marvel­ the few vacant Yous programs, 14 great displays, and spaces. M-WTCA a fine turnout of enthusiastic Mid-West members who tool collectors was the ideal recipe for a could not arrive real good tool meet. It was all there at before Saturday Madison, GA, Feb. 5,6 and 7. were most happy to find a tool meet Wednesday's forecast for Thursday~ still in progress. tailgate day, called for cloudy, windy and rain. The hall floor had been marked for The quick­ table location and Wednesday's arrivals est way to lose a moved their goodies in, picked their table happy member is sites and left - no trading inside. This is to have them find Collectors and browsers alike had plenty to look at during the Peach Meet. done to relieve congestion at the door on the hall bare after a rainy day. a long drive.

And so for the second year in a row, There were 14 displays for a meet re­ about the great meetings we've had in In­ due to inclement weather, the tailgate was cord. Dan Gaier of Piqua, OH, took first diana and all of the fun I've had attending moved indoors. Thursday doors opened place with a super collection of wrenches. them, and who could blame you? After all, at 7 a.m. and the action heated right up. That was good for an award of $50. Jane there are only so many ways to say, "I At 9 a.m., the tables arrived and in one Locklin of Paisley, FL, was close behind had a great time, spent too much money quick flurry they were in place, thanks to with her display of sad irons. Jane was and if you weren't there, you should have a marvelous group. Thursday's arrivals awarded $25 for second. Ray Kistner won been." At the risk of flagellating the pro­ did not take long to join the fray. At 2 third place and $15 with his Oak Leaf tools verbial deceased equine (How's that for p.m., the hall was cleared, tailgate closed. and toolbox. Ray is from Debary, FL. $20 worth of $5 words?) I'd like to tell Toolers coming in for Friday's offical start you about the meeting that took place in It seemed that everyone was able to unloaded at empty tables of their choice February. and left. It should be noted that for ten find something to satisfy that tool "fix." years tables have been taken on a first Nothing like sending home a group of For most of the time that I've been a come basis and it works. happy campers. See you next year Feb. member, the February meeting in Area F 3, 4 and 5. Tom Lamond will provide us has taken place in the Abe Martin Lodge On Friday morning, Paul Hamler with an educational experience and Dave at Brown County State Park in Indiana. took us through the years that have led Heckel will take us through his new book This year, though, we decided with some him to become the premier craftsman of on Sargent. trepidation to change locations. Brown full-scale and miniature copies of the County had become way too expensive a most prized antique tools with emphasis venue for our little gathering and a change on the rariest of plow planes. This man was called for. is good! M-WTCA Area F Spring As luck would have it, I was talking Annette Eaton provided a buff et of Meeting at McCormick's to a member of the maintenance staff of roast beef, barbecue pork, rice, maca­ Creek State Park McCormick's Creek State park when the roni and cheese, three veggiesM-WTCA.ORG and two subject of Brown County's fees came desserts at noon. All you could eat plus up.Dave wrote a name and phone num­ drinks. Best buy anywhere for 6 bucks. ber on a card and handed it to me. "Why By Matt B0alecs don't you give us a try?" he asked. "Just Doug Fowler and Steve Edwards pre­ call Donna at this number and she'll help sented a program on wrenches. They gave rt's hard to believe, but I've been a mem­ you out." an overview on types of wrenches, aided lUber of M-WTCA for nearly 20 years now, by Steve's excellent screen presentation. and for several of those years I've been It had been quite a while since I had Their fine display coincided with their talk writing articles for the Gristmill about the been to the Canyon Inn at McCormick's and generated an informative discussion various goings on in Area F. Creek, but I remembered it as a lovely following the program. place in surroundings as picturesque as Those of you that have been in this any park in the state of Indiana. A call to Most Saturday mornings are a drag, fine organization as long or longer than I Donna Kay at the inn confirmed my friend but not this one. For three hours it seemed have are probably pretty tired of reading Dave's assumptions when she told me we like Friday morning. The hall was still The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 6 could have the facilities for a fraction of ing techniques and Tommy Keckner who the cost of our fonner site. The readers spoke on the topics related to the Historic Joint M-WTCAArea Q will understand my relief at this infonna­ Land Marks Foundation. Both speakers and EAIA Summer Meet­ tion when I tell you that I was to be in sparked a great deal of interest in their charge of this meeting. topics and had no trouble in drawing ing Sheduled members' attentions, for an hour or so, Next the task of finding people will­ from a room full of tools. The annual M-WTCA Area Q and ing to give lectures or demonstrations. ti EAIA Summer Meeting will be held I must tell you that actually running a Tod Hirli graciously consented to demon­ in Raleigh, NC, on July 24 at Ed Hobbs' meeting was quite an experience for both strate sash making, much to the delight Fann. of my son Lane. At 3 years old, Lane has me and my wife Celena. She would like amassed quite a shaving collection, and to thank all of the women who helped her Each year this "Annual Rite of already had several examples of Tod's man the door and keep track of all the go­ Summer" draws a growing nunber of work. Tod's shavings seem to have a ings on over the weekend and keeping her those interested in tool collecting and greater appeal to Lane than do those company. Having attended meetings for early industries from all over the East produced in my workshop, as evidenced years, I never realized just what goes into Coast. It is an opportunity to buy and by the fact that he will bypass a pile of making one work, and I certainly have a sell tools, hear a very interesting pro­ fresh shavings under my bench in order new appreciation for all the hard work our gram, participate in the tool auction, to pick up even the most mundane look­ meeting hosts do to ensure every one has trade stories, eat great barbecue and ing rocks on the floor, but always fills his a good time. generally relax under the shade of the pockets whenever he sees Tod. barns and pecan trees. While primar­ I hope you all enjoyed yourselves as ily a Saturday event, some early birds much as I did and that you'll mark your Nan Schulte, whose help and advice come Friday afternoon to set up, check calendars for next year's February meet­ made the meeting possible in the first things out and/or to park their motor ing, to be Feb.18 and 19 at the Canyon Inn place, secured two lecturers, Tom Meeker homes or campers. In 2003, more than at McConnick' s Creek State Park. who demonstrated hand hewn bowl mak- 240 people attended this meeting. The program this year will be on wooden boat building and will be put on by the Cape Fear Community College boat building class students. This will include demonstrations and displays showing this fascinating craft. Because of the increasing nunber of people attending, again this year, pre­ registration will be required to ensure we have adequate food and facilities. The farm is located just a few miles south of Raleigh off of I-40. There is plenty of room for all and we can guarantee there will not be any snow or cold weather and the barbecue will melt in your mouth. Notices will be sent to all M­ WTCA and EAIA members in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Vir­ ginia. For more information, con­ tact Ed Hobbs at (919) 828-2754 ([email protected]), Ray Hoke M-WTCA.ORGat (919) 876-8512 ([email protected]) or Robert Oehman (919) 858-8506 ([email protected])

To the Point in Wisconsin This trammel points display by Dan Hess won first place at Area B's meet in St. Francis, WI.

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 7 American Steam Gauge from early flails to ax heads to threshing Hill takes on storage issues. machines. Among the many interesting subjects ike a lot of us, Barry Lee David spot­ The articles on the evolution of tools is the large number of errors discovered IL=ted an intriguing mechanism at a ftom hand power to horse power to steam in the data tables of slide rules for car­ yard sale and bought it. After going to power are enhanced by old newspaper and penters and engineers. No wonder the the local library and researching his magazine ads and manufacturers' cata­ engineering design failed. newly purchased steam gauge and the logs. If I counted the heads correctly, an As well as the book, Stanley thought­ Kewanee Boiler Corp. that made it, he 1892 photograph shows a 24-horse hitch was hooked. fully included a separate booklet, The pulling a threshing machine in Walla Concordance and Value Guide. It includes That led him to collecting beautiful Walla, WA. A page from an 1875 B. K. price estimated based on condition, maker old steam gauges and writing about them Bliss & Sons Seed Catalog priced a ladies' and function; information on identifying in his book, "The Antique American Steam and children's garden set, including hoe, and comparing all rules made by major Gauge A Collector's Guide." He said col­ rake, shovel and pitchfork, for $2, $3 or manufacturers and allowing the identifi­ lecting gauges is a lot more practical than $4 depending on size. cation of an unmarked rule; and factors collecting steam locomotives, which are Collectors of farm machinery will affecting rule value. another of his loves. be interested in the color pages of Case, History, use, European pre-metric The book is profusely illustrated, McCormick, Minneapolis, P & 0, Interna­ measures, construction, there is much, with six gauges photographed in full tional and Deering machinery. Others are much more to absorb in this comprehen­ color standing out as particularly hand­ in black and white. sive book and its companion. some. Some of the gauges are from the Tbe book is a good place to identify - Mary Lou Stover collection of Bruce Cynar, an M-WTCA what you bought, or at least bid on, at member from Indiana. A Source Book for Collectors and Con­ a farm sale. Barlow has also written cordance and Value Guide. Philip E. David's conversational style makes books on carpenter's tools, Victorian Stanley. Softcover, 361 total pages, the book and technical subjects easy to housewares, old hardware, antique toys $45. Astragal Press, P.O. Box 239, read. It all seems so simple. Even if you and American privies, Mendham NJ 07945. Phone (973) 543- don't care a hoot about gauges, you will The book is available from Krause 3045. Email astragalpress.com after reading his stories about gauge mak­ Publications, at bookstores and on-line ers and companies. He writes, or maybe booksellers. we could even say talks, about railroad, fire engine, nautical, portable and trac­ - Mary Lou Stover Bring This With You table engine, press, common building and steam car gauges, gauge appliance and recorders, and patents. Essential Book on Rules The "Antique Trader Tools Price Guide" ti is a handy book to take along to the flea He also provides information on market or tool meeting. prices and cleaning/restoring antique Dhilip Stanley has written a reference steam gauges. tf book essential for any rule collector. Editor Kyle Husfloen, Antique Trader editor, received advice from Clarence Being a wordsmith, I liked the author "Source Book for Rule Collectors" is full of photos and useful information. For Blanchard, president of Brown Auction immediately when right up front, he ex­ Services. plained the spelling of gauge versus gage. the first time, Stanley puts together in one The spellings were used interchangeably, place selected articles on rules written by The book lists 2,000 tools from the with the choice based on preference rather experts in the field-trom Ken Roberts to 17th to 20 century and their recent prices. than grammar. Paul Kebabian to Cliff Fales. With a long­ Brown contributed most of the pricing time interest in measuring tools, Stanley based on auction sales. Blanchard writes "The Antique American Steam Gauge includes some of his own previously pub­ that patented tools are the fastest grow­ A Collector's Guide" ByM-WTCA.ORG Barry Lee lished observations and research. In most ing area of collecting, with an emphasis David. Softcover, 292 pages, $35. As­ cases, those sources are out of print and on planes. braces and wrenches. tragal Press, P.O.Box, Mendham, NJ unavailable to today's collector. 07945. Phone (866) 543-3045, email A 16-page color section features [email protected] Also reprinted are three of the four popular items sold at auction, showing issues of Mensuration, a newsletter for photos, names, descriptions, manufactur­ -Mary Lou Stover rule collectors published by the author ing dates and prices. and fellow collector James Hill. Dedi­ cated to the study and preservation of Antique Traders Tools Price Guide. Soft­ 300 Years of Farm Imple­ measuring devices and related topics, it cover, 272 pages, $19.99, $4 shipping, ments and Machinery was discontinued due to the time com­ plus tax. Krause Publications, Pr04, mitment. One of the articles addresses P.O. Box 5009, Iola, WI 54945,(800) Q onald Barlow's new book on farm tools cleaning rules. Stanley's opinion is to do 258-0929, www.krausebooks.com tl~shows everything used in agriculture, as little as possible, and he explains why.

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 8 Where to Send What Carolyn, his daughter, Mary, and brother, Robert L. Mullen Bill, all in the space of a few years. Please note where to send what Spirit? When told by his doctor last so it will reach the right person. By Jay Newb0t year he had lung cancer, his reply was, "That is completely unacceptable, Doctor. Send changes in your address, You've got to do something." At the time phone number or e-mail to: KLM Robert L. Mullen, Grand Rapids, MI, of his death, the cancer was regressing. Computer Services, c/o Kerry Mc­ 73, died Jan. 12,2004, of injuries suffered With all of Bob's problems he was always Calla, 104 Engle Ct., Franklin, TN in a fall several days before. "up," always an inspiration to the rest of 37069, phone (615) 791-6198, e-mail Some 10 years ago, Bob organized a us. [email protected] group of about 15 M-WTCA members liv­ One of the good guys is gone and we Request GRISTMILL copies ing within a 20-mile radius of Grand Rap­ miss him. from: Bill Baader,4183 Hominy ids which met on an informal basis about Ridge Rd., Springfield, OH 45502- every two months at someone's house to 9510, phone (937) 969-8530. talk tools and examine what each man had picked up since the last meeting. Kids George Goatey Pay membership dues for current call it show and tell. Usually some buy­ year: Send your check made out to ing, selling or swapping. In June a picnic M-WTCA to John Wells, Treasurer, usually happened. These meetings were George Goatey, 72, of Columbia, P.O. Box 8016, Berkeley, CA 94707. a nice "fix" between the annual meetings. 11, died March 2 6 in Please write RENEW and your name Bob arranged the meetings and notified all Taveres, FL, following and address on your check. Do not of us about where and when. a massive heart attack use a new member application to that morning. renew an existing membership. Although Bob, like most members, collected a variety of tools, hammers were A member of the Submit materials to The GRIST­ his first love. He had more than 1,500 Mid-West Tool Collec­ MILL: Send to Mary Lou Stover, of them with very few duplicates. He de­ tors Association for Gristmill Editor, S76 WI9954 Pros­ lighted in taking a dozen or so of them to many years, he was pect Dr., Muskego, WI 53150, phone a senior citizens home and giving a talk known for his Santa Claus and tool chest (262) 679-1412. on "hammers" -their design, purpose and wood carvings. He was an accomplished history. All the men and most of the ladies woodworker and artist. He also was a Obtain GRISTMILL advertising enjoyed the presentation. member of the Belleville Holzschnitzers. or information: Contact Paul Gor­ ham, 811 Robin Glen, Indianola, IA Bob's second hobby which he shared He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the 50125, phone (515) 962-5207, e-mail with even more people than the hammer Korean Conflict and was a maintenance [email protected]. collection was the weekly big band pro­ supervisor until his retirement. His tool Obtain scholarship information: gram performed over the Grand Valley collection will be sold at Martin Donnelly Contact Don Rosebrook, 38352 University Public Broadcasting Station auctions in Indiana and New Hampshire Henry Road, Prairieville, LA 70769, (PBS) each Saturday afternoon for three over the next year. hours. From his huge collection of records phone (225) 673-4049. and tapes, he selected a theme each week He is survived by his wife, Marlene, (specific bands, instruments, holidays, of Columbia; two sons, Robin (Teresa) seasons, etc) and produced three hours and Jeff (Diana); and two granddaughters. of memorable music. Listeners loved it. Memorials may be sent to Washington University Division of Cardiology, atten­ One of the physical problems Bob tion Ves, 4480 Clayton Ave., Campus Box had to contend with was poor circulation 8099, St. Louis, MO 63110. in his feet which resultedM-WTCA.ORG in the amputa­ tion of both feet several years ago. With his indomitable spirit, he never missed a Check History Channel radio broadcast and still went on antiqu­ ing bus tours. He became a mentor at the local Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Center Tool collectors may want to check their local History Channel listings. to many patients who had or were about Three M-WTCA members, Ken Cope of Milwaukee, Dan Gaier of Piqua, OH, and to have amputations. For this he was Herb Page of Davenport, IA, have been interviewed for the "Toolbox" television declared Volunteer of the Year for 2003. series. Their contributions are on wrenches. The date for the segment to air is For this effort alone, hundreds of people expected to be in June. will never forget him. All of these accomplishments hap­ pened in the face of the loss of his wife,

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 9 Very Rare Portrait of J.J. Holtzapffel Sells At David Stanley's 43rd International Auction in March

By John G ©March 2094 topped front bun, and a lever cap with a wens thin elongated neek and small 5/16-inch diameter locking screw. 3 miniature portrait of John Jacob If Holtzapffel (1768 - 1835), one of A first model Spiers 20 1/2-inchjoint­ A!f the most important men in the his­ er (Lot 1130) with similar characteristics tory of English tools and founder of the sold for $3,067. firm John Holtzapffel in London in 1 794, A lovely 22 1/2-inch Norris Al ad­ created a lot of buzz at David Stanley's justable dovetailed steel jointer plane 43rd International Auction. (Lot 1988) with rosewood infill and tote The 3 1/2 by 2 3/4 inch miniature (Lot Lot 1910 Portrait of John J. Holtzapffel in G++ condition brought $6,135. The 1910) was painted on ivory in the style of Norris adjuster was patented July 24, the English school of 1810 to 1820, and shape, sold in the room for $4,090. It had 1913 and June 21, 1923. 2 came in a red Morocco case with domed a rear "flat-iron" handle behind a small An almost unused 7 5/8-inch Norris glass protective cover. It sold in the room scroll, and a whale back rise at the center A6 adjustable dovetailed steel parallel after an enthusiastic exchange of bids for followed by a gargoyle at the front with side smoother with rosewood infill and $7,771 (All prices in this article are in tongue extended on top of the plane. tote (Lot 1991) sold for $4,294. U.S. dollars using an exchange rate of $1.859 and include a 10 percent buyer's A superb 31-inch 18th century Italian An unusually small 6 3/4-inch bronze premium) . According to T. D. Walshaw,1 J. rabbet plane in elm (Lot 1024), of a more smoother (Lot 1151) with beech infill by J. J. Holtzapffel refined the design of the or­ disciplined design, with an integral flat­ Miller, the only known infill plane by this namental turning lathe making it elegant, iron handle decorated with a scroll fore maker who worked 1855-1815, brought functional and affordable even for a mere and aft and a central cartouche containing $1,636. gentleman, or prosperous tradesman. a stylized flower, brought $3,783. An exceptionally graphic 16th to A lovely 18th century fruitwood 17th century Gennan armourer's saw smoother (Lot 1000) with very nicely (Lot 365) also sold for $7,771. The saw carved floral decorations in the mouth was beautifully decorated with three­ and on the wedge and a horn handle at dimensional architectural forms of the the front sold for $2,004. An early crack Italian Renaissance period. The frame at the base of the horn, which had been had a beaded and reeded central sec­ repaired with a hand-forged nail, added tion flanked on each side by tapered and to the charm. fluted columns on rectangular bases. A forward facing lion "rampant" braced the English Infill Planes blade tensioning mechanism contained A first model dovetailed steel 131/2- Lot 1023 17th Century Plane with Gargoyle in a paneled rectangular pedestal at the inch panel plane by Spiers of Ayr (Lot front of the saw. 1131) sold for $4,703 after a lively ex­ change of bids in the room and over an A lovely 4 1/2-inch dovetailed steel Carved European Planes open telephone line. Stewart Spiers, the and brass chariot plane with ivory infill (Lot 1151) realized $1,472. A rare 24 1/2-inch fruitwood Italian earliest maker of English dovetailed steel rabbet plane, probably 17th century (Lot bench planes, began working about 1840. A 3 1/8-inch dovetailed brass and 1023), with a lovely flowing curvilinear His earliest planes are characterized by: steel chariot plane (Lot 1166) with a wrought iron side plates screwed rather rocking bridge and ebony infill, from the M-WTCA.ORGthan riveted to Sternberg collection, sold for $654. the infill, side plates that have A 6 1/4-inch dovetailed gunmetal two humps and and steel chariot plane (Lot 1948) with do not have a extended heel and toe and a bulbous gun­ pointed cusp near metal bridge bar brought $1,391. the front bun, metal end plates, A super 7 1/4-inch dovetailed brass an overstuffed and steel miter plane (Lot 1927) with wood infill, a cupids bow decoration on the bridge and large almost flat wedge by John Moseley realized $1,881. A rare Buck thumb plane (Lot 1160) Lot 365 17th Century Armourer's Saw with brass lever cap and snecked iron in G+ condition, brought $1,221.

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 10 $1,534. An 8-inch Stratton No.10 brass bound rosewood level (lot 979) went for $634. A W. T. Fisher patented bevel and square by Disston & Morse (Lot 1272) in G+ con­ dition sold for $859. A Spaeth patented plumb bob with internal reel (Lot 929) brought $429.

Other Great Tools Lot 1135 Spiers No. 11 Gunmetal Bullet­ nosed Rabbet Plane A 14-inch brass Japanese Sumitsubo ink line (Lot 1760) with the traditional Lot 1833 French Coach maker's Plow A very rare Spiers No.11 gunmetal symbol of the carpenter and a brass and 1-inch bull nose rabbet plane with rose­ copper clad wheel brought $3,579. wood wedge and "SPIERS," "AYR" cast (Lot 1500) by William Clarke brought in raised letters in a recessed panel in the A very elegant French coach maker's $1,063. side (Lot 1135) sold for $1,636. plow plane (Lot 1833) with a brass plated A beautiful little 2 1/4-inch ivory beech body, brass fence and brass lock­ plumb bob (Lot 925) with a colorful American Tools ing screws in G++ condition sold for inlaid decoration around the finial went $4,703. A very fine Stanley No. 9 miter plane for $900. (Lot 10), one of many fine Stanley tools in A magnificent head stock (Lot 12 2 7), the auction, with trade mark "T" c.1907 for an early French screw cutting lathe -08 brought $1,943. c.1660, brought $2,045. Henry Maud­ 1 Walshaw, TD. Ornamental Turning, 208 p slay's_made the first screw cutting lathe A Stanley AS aluminum jack plane with a lead screw in 1797. 4 2 Goodman, History of Woodworking Tools, p. 57, (Lot 9) in unused condition sold for fig. 57, type (e) and p. 59, fig. 58. $777. A very elegant piano maker's bow drill with an ivory spool - without the 3 Lampert. Nigel "Through Much Tribulation: Stew­ A little used Stanley No. 51/52 shoot usual shake - having octagonal brass art Spiers and the Plane Makers of Ayr," p. 27 board and plane (Lot 33) complete with ends (Lot 1888) unsigned but probably and following. the original hold down and screw brought American and by Earlandsen, was a good $1,186. 4 Rolt, LT.C, "A Short History of Machine Tools," buy at $511. p.86, 89. An H. Chapin, Solon Rust self-regu­ A pair of little used 10 1/4-inch beech lating plow plane, No.238 1/2, patented ovolo molders (Lot 992) by Robert Wood­ March 31, 1868 (Lot 1839) in G+ con­ ing (working 1706-1739) were a bargain dition sold to an absentee bidder for at $1,022. It is very rare to find a pair of planes by Wooding that have been kept together. An early 18th century thick section boxwood sec­ M-WTCA.ORGtor (Lot 1498) in G+ condi­ tion sold for $1,186. An 18th century thick section 36-inch four­ fold boxwood rule with a brass log slide Lot 1227 French Screw-Cutting Lathe Headstock Lots 9 and 10 Stanley No. AS & No. 9.

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 11 MEETINGS, MEMBERSHIP NEWS & MISCELLANY lOOL MJEWS Sandusky Center Wheel Sets a New World Record At the 24th Annual Antique Tool Auction

By Jobo §. Wells ©April 2004. A rare, and unusually fascinating Chardoillet 21-inchjointer plane patented in France around 1852 (Lot 447) with a e Sandusky No. 141 self-regulating tilting frog, and separate adjustments for II three-arm center wheel plow with six the cutter and cap iron brought $7,700. Tiivory tips (Lot 687) set a new world's These planes do not have sideboards; record for the Sandusky center wheel by instead they have a very thick sole and selling for $22,000. (All prices in this article an upstanding bridge on each side at the include a 10 percent buyers premium.) mouth to stiffen the bed. A curved sector Several features of this example in­ running through the tote controls the dicate that it is the only known survivor tilting frog. of the first batch of 10 or 12 center wheel The Mayo Patented Improved Plow plows made by Sandusky, and it is there­ plane (Lot 354) has one of the letters M, fore the earliest example known. Lot 687 Sandusky Center Wheel Plow A, Y or O engraved in the face of each of the four large brass locking screws. This Pencil Sharpeners example had 85 percent of the original The entire room at the Brown Auc­ Bailey began manufacturing the Victor gold color paint and sold for $7,590. The tion was gripped in a spell of excitement, line of planes in Hartford, CT, after he Mayo plow is the final model in a series as two bidders, on open telephone lines, left the Stanley Rule and Level Co. in of plow planes beginning with the earliest battled it out over a pencil sharpener by 1875. The No. 11 and No 11 1/2 were Phillips plow, patented by Russell Phil­ the Chelsea Manufacturing Co. (Lot 218). offered in L. Bailey & Co. Hartford, CT, lips, Gardner, ME, patentNo.67,671, Aug. The winning bid was $17,050. 1883 Catalog. 13, 1867, and running through a number of versions for a period of 10 years. The The Little Shave Pencil Sharpener A rare and elusive Leonard Bailey next to last model, Phillips Improved plow (Lot 228) sold for $2,750; the Peerless Victor No.14 dado plane with most of the with a black japanned finish highlighted pencil sharpener (Lot 233) brought original nickel plating intact (Lot 462) with gold pin striping and red accents, was $1,925; and the Lakeside by Eberhard sold for $3,740. made by Babson & Repplier and patented Faber (Lot 229) went for $1,073. One tool byM, C. Mayo Jan. 1, 1872. The example collector was seen throwing his auction offered in this auction - Mayo's Improved catalog on the floor. Amazing! Plow patented by M. C. Mayo Sept. 14, 1875 -was the last in the series. Patented Planes A set of eight cutters for the Mayo A scarce Leonard Bailey Victor No.11 (Lot 355) brought $798. rabbet plane (Lot 459) complete with the A rare nickel-plated version of a usually missing fence and depth stop, Julius Earlandsen miter plane (Lot 309) sold to an absentee bidder for $8,800. working in N.Y. 1890-1925 with 70 per­ cent of the nickel plating present sold for $1,870. Julius, son of Napoleon Earland­ Lot 459 L. Bailey Victor No. 11 sen, was one of a group of five miter plane M-WTCA.ORGmakers working in New York City from 1850 through 1925. A very rare Ohio No. 067 cast iron car beading block plane (Lot 464) not shown in known Ohio Tool Co catalogs, brought $1,980. An early English metallic plow plane by James Silcock (Lot 302), English pat­ ent No. 10,033, Jan. 31, 1844, sold for $1,870. Silcock worked in America for Israel White and then returned to England Lot 218 Chelsea Pencil Sharpener Lot 447 Chardoillet Jointer . and designed this all metal self-regulating plow plane. The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 12 AN o. 602 C corrugated Bedrock Type 6 smooth plane (Lot 135) in G+ condition brought $1,485. A No. 51/52 shoot board and plane (Lot 706) with 100 percent japanning, that looks like it was never used, sold for $1,320. A very rare No. 190 W Weather­ Stripping plane (Lot 701 with 95 percent Lot 354 Mayo's Improved Plow Plane japanning, G+, brought $963. Lot 618 Rufus Porter Level Indicator A rare and graphic T -Rabbet plane Wood Plow Planes by the Boston Metallic Plane Co (Lot 450) A plow plane by E.W. Carpenter, A Davis 3 1/4- inch hexagonal nickel with a distinctive arched casting bridging Lancaster, PA, (lot 494), patented Feb. plated pocket level (Lot 342) with brass over the mouth, patent by Francis Smith, 6, 1838, with a beech body and boxwood ends, near mint, went for $935. Sept. 23, 1873, No.141, 101, sold for arms and locking nuts sold for $5,280. $4,950. A Davis 24 inch-mahogany rare tall Carpenter threaded the body of the plane section inclinometer (Lot 335) in G+ A Morris Diamond Metallic Plane to receive the arms. To adjust the fence condition brought $825 22 inches long (lot 468) patented Nov. 8, you turn the arms, which are captive in 1870, in G+ condition went for $2,200. the fence brackets so you have to turn Other Great Tools Three sizes of these planes were offered both arms at the same time to avoid a in the Sandusky 1877 catalog; they all jam up. A very early and graphic Armourer's had parallel sides and floral decoration saw (Lot 516) with a beautifully decorat­ A super nice H. Chapin No. 238 1/2 cast on the bed. ed frame, probably 17th century, brought self-regulating three-arm plow plane in $2,640. A rare 9 3/4-inch Morris teardrop beech (Lot 490) with two brass slides and shaped smoother (Lot 467) not offered a threaded central arm patented by Solon An early, possibly 17th century, hand in any known Sandusky or Ohio Tool Co. Rust, March 31, 1868, sold to an absentee wrought French cooper's double action catalog, in G+ condition was a good buy bidder for $4,180. iron compass of great form (Lot 78) sold at $2,860. to an absentee bidder for $2,420. Levels Stanley Planes A wantage rod by H. S. Pearson (Lot The nicest Rufus Porter pendulum 3 72), an early Portland, ME, instrument A rare No.ll bull nose rabbet plane indicator level I have ever seen (Lot maker, in near mint condition, brought (Lot 567) with a small hairline crack 618) 9 1/2-inch square and in the origi~ $1,485. (announced before the auction) sold for fial glass covered frame, with an etching $3,520. Justice Traut patented the cutter by Rufus Porter showing men laying up a Summary adjustment Sept. 2, 1879; the adjustment brick wall using a Porter Indicator Level, was also used on the No. 1 03 and No. 120 sold for $6,380. The auction grossed $333,000, for block planes. an average price of $440 per lot. A Stratton Brothers salesman's The No.11 bull nose rabbet plane sample level (Lot (11), illustrating the The next Tool Show and the 25th was introduced some time after the ad­ different brass binding and trim used on International Antique Tool Auction by justment was patented and before Nov. four different models of Stratton levels, Brown Auction Services will be Oct. 22 - 8, 1881 when it appeared in the Charles brought $3,300. 23 at the Sheraton Inn, Harrisburg, PA. Churchill & Co. catalog. M-WTCA.ORGIt's always a great show. A Melick inclinometer (Lot 609)pat­ A No.9 miter plane (Lot 578) with ented Dec. 3, 1889, in excellent condition the early horizontal adjuster and in G+ with 90 percent japanning and 70 percent condition sold for $2,530. pin striping, went for $3,190. A rare aluminum No. 45 combina­ A rare 18-inch inclinometer by C. J. tion plane (Lot 348), made 1915-1924, Shoff (Lot 613), patented Oct. 14, 1873, complete and in the original box with the sold for $1,870. "Aluminum" label, brought $2,970. An L. L. Davis mantel clock level A No. A6 plane (Lot 345) in mint (Lot 339) in superior condition with 100 condition and in the original box sold percent of the japanning and 99 percent for $3,080. of the pin striping brought $1,540. Lot 339 LL Davis Mantel Clock Level

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 13 MECHANICAL IMPLEMENT; SIMPLE DEVICE; HISTORY lOOILS William Sterritt and His B. Pike & Sons Surveying Instrument An Account of a 19th Century Route Survey Through the Royal Gorge

By Qaxe Fessler In the transcripts of the two letters feet per day. When I first heard that that follow, William is writing to his amount I almost smiled but since I have Brother Joe from his camp in the Royal seen it I am not so much surprised. Some don't know about you but I have said Gorge in Colorado. It was a Sunday after­ cross-sections 100 feet cut on one side many times I wish this thing could noon thatJan.11, 1879, and I can imagine and 20 feet fill on the other, and to see talk and tell about where it has been. William walking back from Canon City a man using a ladder below and away up However, I was lucky enough a few years along the Arkansas River of Colorado. above two men letting another down by ago to acquire a surveyor's transit by Ben­ The sun was going down and it was rope to measure and mark is no fast job jamin' Pike & Sons, 166 Broadway St., getting colder so he could not linger and and sometimes digging and working an N.Y. City, which dates its manufacture admire the river and the scenery and rock hour to get a foothold is slow work. I have between 1855 and 1863 with a written walls rising up to 1,400 feet high along not given up the idea that I can beat his history of its use. which they were running a railroad line time, but I confess it is more difficult than to the gold and silver mines of Colorado. I imagined, and then it is so irregular. Mr. Two brothers named William Sterrtt Darkness had fallen by the time Will ap­ Robinson told me he thought I would have and Joseph L. Sterritt of Sing Sing, NY, proached his camp, yet the trail was still to take a cross-section every five feet but owned and used it. Along with the transit, easy to follow. A full moon rising and the it is not quite so often as that. Mr. Osgood I received a series of 24 letters written by snow covered ground gave the illusion has eight miles and has been on it since William while working in the field to his that daylight still persisted. August. To be sure he had to locate and brother Joseph L. Sterritt. The first letter relocate much of it and that was much of a is dated March 29, 1877, from St. Joseph, When he got back to his tent, he job as many places they had to offset and MO, and the last letter is dated May 26, stoked his wood-burning heater and from run parallel lines and from one side to the 1887, from Manhattan, KS, on his way the ridgepole hung his boots to dry. Then other. The place is called the Grand Canon back home. by the light of a coal oil lamp, he sat at of the Arkansas River, and where we are his portable desk and penned another of These letters describe work being is known as the Royal Gorge of the Grand his many letters to his brother Joe in New Canon and is about three miles long and done by William while in the employ of York. Wanting to tell him of this rugged the Santa Fe Railroad and other railroads. the sides are from 800 to 1,400 feet high. country in which he was working. His We can not get to it with wagons and have William was a locating engineer laying letter is as written: out the rail line routes for the Santa Fe to canyon our backs what things we want and other railroads. He worked across "Canon City Colorado for some distance. Mr. Osgood's camp is Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Jan.29, 1879 just at the entrance of the Royal Gorge New Mexico Territory, Arizona Territory J.L Sterritt and I am 2 miles up in it. We have it all and into Old Mexico. Many of the letters cross-sectioned but about a mile now. tell of work being done as well as sights Dear Brother "I have not done much of it as I have of the West, the wages they were mak­ Yours of the 24 of Dec. just rec'd as been here but a short time and have not ing and the men themselves. Most of the I have just returned to camp trom a walk got fairly started and have made one letters are written on Santa Fe Railroad down to Canon City which is about 6-1/2 change in the line and have one more to letterheads and it is surprising how much miles distant but when traversed one make, but I have got ahead of the Contrac­ track they were laying, as the letterheads thinks it about twice that distance. You tors so they can not complain as I here show the number of miles of track the see I have left New Mexico about the 15th they used to do. I am working to a great Santa Fe owned and from letter to letter of Dec. Mr. Robinson had me relived and disadvantage, as I am not acquainted it changes. M-WTCA.ORGsent up here. I met him in Pueblo and he with the line and have to shovel snow to told me he had an engineer here and he find it. It is so rocky they could not drive When reading the letters to his considered him a very good man and did brother you begin to realize how easy many spikes and most of the stations are not wish to relieve him but he was behind marked with paint on the rocks, and there we have it today. William was gone from in his work and he wished me to go up and home for 10 years doing work expanding is so much curvature that it often takes help him out. The work was very difficult half of the time to find the stations and this great country of ours. They worked and must of necessity go along slowly. six days a week in harsh conditions from then we have to go around so far to get freezing cold to extreme heat. In one letter The engineer's name is Joseph O. on top of a point and must shovel a path while surveying a line in Mexico, he tells Osgood and I like him very much, but all the way for were you to make me miss of the wagon tires being so hot you had I think when I get acquainted with the step it would be the last. You would go to have gloves on when touching them as line I can get along faster than he has down the rocks to the bottom of the River well as handling the chain and instrument though I may be mistaken. It is by far and bid a final adieu to this world. So you to keep from being burned. the most difficult work I ever saw. Mr. will perceive it is difficult and dangerous Osgood cross-sectioned trom 50 to 200 work and requires the utmost caution. I The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 14 think sometimes I am too impetuous In this second letter from Joe to be on it. I like to see things move to William, William tells of receiv­ along faster. But I am trying to be ing the letter on the 5th of February very cautious. The work is to be that was sent from Sing Sing, NY, finished by the 5 of March, but if is on the 30th of January. Seems to done by May, June or even July they me to be almost as fast as today will have to get along faster than especially considering where they they have done so far. were working and under the condi­ tions. You may note the word canon "The scenery here is magnificent pronounced canyon at the time of the - I never saw anything like it and writing of these letters was a proper had anyone visited this place some spelling and I have used the same years since and said there would spelling throughout this article. ever be a railroad here would have been laughed at as insane. It is all "Canon City, Colo. Feby. 7th, 1879 very rough but these three miles are J. L Sterritt, Esq. surprising so. I have looked at ste­ Sing Sing reoscopic views and I presume you have and almost unconsciously said Dear Brother: to ourselves how grand but they can­ Yours of the 30th, Jany. I rec'd not compare with these fine views of on the 5th while in Canon City. This primitive nature. Last Sabbath when is my first opportunity of replying all was quite in camp and I had eaten and as it is getting late the reply dinner I wondered up the mountain may be short, and I do not know - up - up - up- and it seamed a long as I can think of enough to write to time to reach the top and each point make it long if I had an abundance seemed the top from the time I start­ of time. ed but when reached it only revealed another - but I finally got there and I have been very busy lately and then the view was charming. we have got through cross-section­ ing this work. Think I averaged 4 "In the canon where I have been to 5 hundred feet per day and had at work the sun does not shine at all to shovel a good deal of snow. I an this time of the year and I toil from B. Pike & Sons surveying instrument. now assisting giving grades and centres morning till night without feeling the in­ and looking after the work generally. Mr. fluence of one ray. My camp is pitched a Robinson passed down over the work last gave the boys a holiday as I try to do on all little way up the side of the mountain and week. Wanted to know why I was not mar­ holidays, but the Contractors fare which I get the benefit of the sun a few hours in ried and advised me to get married. Says was not over-sumptuous ... It would have mid-day. But I must quit this description Lake is going to get married. Asked me augmented my pleasure largely I know for I cannot do it justice and it will occupy where you were. I told him in Sing Sing to have spent New Years with you ... The too much space. - Says "how did he get there" I told him weather here has been very severe for by doing what he had been advising me "I am enjoying good health but faring this climate, but the last few days taken to do. He had me go to Canon City with a little slimly now as I have to board with something softer and more congenial. the Contractor and they do not live too him and when there gave me charge of 4 well but it would be difficult to maintain "But I must bring this to a close. I miles of work down there besides what I a camp here and I may change from here have written it in much haste and I think have to do here, so I will be kept pretty before loog and thus hope to do better; I have almost run it to the length of a book busy between the two. think I can stand it for a M-WTCA.ORGtime if the grad­ instead of a letter and you will be tired We cannot use a team here at all and before you get through with it. Love to ers can for all time for I know there labor have to work altogether and very slowly all. Write soon as convenient. My address is much heavier than mine and I think at that or at least we make very slow is Canon City, Colorado. care of J.O. Os­ there stomachs are better sheathed than progress at it on account of the rough­ good. Esq. mine. I have by no means a party to suit ness of the place. It is not probable that I me here, but I think they will improve as "Gibson wished me to remember him will see Gibson very soon again. The pay they are most all new men and seem very to you when I wrote. You know he was our for rodman now is $35.00 per month and willing... cook in '72. He always asks for you when expenses though last season I paid the "Glad you had such a nice Christmas I see him. He is cooking for Mr. Engle on one I had $40.00 and while on location I and a good time. I was I may say on the the extension I came from to this. paid my leveler $50.00. He was my $40.00 wing on Christmas and though you may rodman and was not very fast with the Your Affec. Brother sat moving, I had some turkey at Mr. Os­ level and I had to help him out some when T. W. Sterritt" goods camp and enjoyed the day very well. continued on page 16 New Years day was in my own camp and The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 15 William Sterritt's Own Story EAIA Workshops At Historic Village continued from page 15 little alteration as there was found to be the runmng of the transit party was easy an error in one of the corrections. If you remember there was a "B" correction and Master tradesmen will conduct and they could go fast. He was a little too a series of one-day workshops July timid and afraid he would make mistakes. a "C" correction. We always subtracted the "C" correction which in some cases 12-16 at Eastwood Village, East Nas­ He is now with me and is what I consider sau, NY. h~ rodman half assistant and I am paying should be added. But in the work we are him $55.00 per month, or at least I intend at present we do not use any tables, but Sponsored by Early American to unless there is a muss raised about it. have come down to solid figuring. The Industries Association. the tools work is too irregular to use the tables. I do not just know how things will work a~d _trades hands-on workshops out her~. While in New Mexico I paid my We have to make up all the areas and you :V1ll mclude tinsmithing, sashmak­ may be sure there are enough of them men a little the best wages and done with m~, ~ransfer printing, letterpress fewer of them and was always ahead with and tough ones to (o). Sometimes I think pnntmg, surveying, leatherworking, my work and nothing was ever said about of as high as 6 or 8 different elevations charcoal burning, texti.les and farm it. Mr. White (for that is the man's name) at one cross section. If you have a trunk carpentry. Farm carpentry, one of the has been to Missouri on a visit and re­ you will find in it an explanation of the new workshops, will teach woodwork­ turned day before yesterday and I do not "Prismoidial Formula" from which all ing tasks performed on the farm, such know what will be said when I send in tables are calculated. Let me know in as tr~e felling, riving sawing, splitting, the next pay roll. If it went directly to your next if we used Lakes tables when tummg on a pole lathe, boring with a Mr. R I guess it would be all right, but it ro1: were 01:t he_re and I will try to explain boring machine and various types of has to pass some others first. Gibson was 1t, if you wish 1t. In the mean time find augers. Workshops will be limited to telling me when I passed that whenever out how _to find the solidity of a Wedge, about eight people, who will choose they spoke of me down in New Mexico I a ~a.D?d and a Parallelepiped or solid one trade each day. was known as the 'rusher.' The greate'st on six sides, all of which are figures with and most dangerous of this work is over parrallel sides, and see if you can find one Participants can live in the 18th- and if I had charge of it I think I could rule that will give you the correct result 19th century-type village, camp on the ~ttend to _it_easily myself. But Mr. Osgood in either case-for all the cross- sections ~ounds _or stay in a motel. Registra­ m my opllllon does not handle the work can be divided into these three figures. tion fee 1s $550, and the deadline is systematically and puts me some in mind June 28 for final payment. For more But I must close. Write as soon as information, contact Elton Hall at of Mr. Lewis. Flies around and does many convenient. Love to all. things that do not amount to a straw. For (508) 993-9578 or email him at instance reference points - slope stakes Your Affec. Bro. eaia@fastdiaLnet so as be able to find where they were originally. One day he came along over Will the work and as my instrument man was If you can read this you will do EAIA Tour to Italy sick, I was working alone so he insisted pretty well." on helping me awhile and jumped around like a 'tom tit on a pump handle' and as Northem Italy will be the desti­ we had to get the depth of water some­ Mr. Sterritt and his surveying instru­ nation of Early American Industries places where the slope stakes extended & Association's 2004 tour. into the river, he makes a splurge for it ment_ worked on the Atlantic Pacific, the Mexzcan Central, the Sonora Railway and and down went the level rod right into it. Scheduled for Sept. 13-23, the parts of the Santa Fe. He was in the D. & I halloed to him but it was too late. And tour will include major historical and R G. "war" [Denver & Rio Grande) and he said "I thought of it a minute after I did cultural sites and a selection of mu­ helped locate the line over Raton Mountain it" but it was too late. I told him he ought seums known for their collections of and trom Raton south through New Mexico to have thought of it a minute before. So ancient tools. EAIA members Riccardo and across into the Arizona Territory, one you may imagine how the rod would work Chetoni and Luigi Nessi will open their of the letters being sent from Tombstone on a freezing day. ~omes to show their private collec­ M-WTCA.ORGin 1881. tions. Chetoni has the largest plumb But he had to go up the line and did bob collection in the world. A tour not stay long much to my satisfaction. I extension to the David Stanley tool could make a little better time without auction is an option for travelers. him. He has only seven miles and when Mr. R gave me 4 miles he thought he The land cost of the tour is $2,590 ought to have it. But he has accepted the double occupancy (single supplement situation very well. As a man I like him $~50) and the auction side trip $680 very we_ll, but as an engineer though very (smgle supplement $190). For infor­ theoretical I do not think he as practical mation, contact Elton Hall at (508) as he might be. I have almost forgotten 993-9578, email [email protected] whether I used what was known as Lakes tables when you were with me or not. If so we use the same yet with a

The GRISTMILL• June 2004 • 16 M-WTCA Advanced Levels ofMembership and Additional Gifts for 2004

embership renewal James & Ann Barbieur David & Nan Kollmeyer Jack & Lorraine Wagoner une the following mem­ Ken & Kathi Barham William S & Patricia F Kraft Ladislaus M. & Barbara Walen rs have elected a higher Bill & Jackie Beach Joe & Linda Kunz Ron & Kitty Bell Waher M Charles & Janet Beatty Mike & Katie Lamarre Joe Ward level of membership or have made Carl & Permy Bilderback Walter T. & Sandy Lane Arthur B. & Christine White Jr. additional gifts providing added Frederick T. & Virginia Birch Herman & Alice Leonhardt Jon & Nancy Whitney income to M-WTCA. This extra Paul & Donna Boldt Charles & Annette Levine William H. & Carol Whowell income is particularly welcome Roger & Carolyn Bourgeois Harold J. & Mary Anna Liberty Jr Charles N. & Nancy Williams during these times of lower mem­ Hoyt & Mary Bowen W.J. & Shirley Linstromberg Larry D . & Rhonda Williams bership and very low intcr~t Robert & Lillis Brackett Howard & Mary Lou Loomi.-, Jr. Royce Winge rates. It makes it uaoecessary to Marjorie Bradley Rocky & Lou Anne Lowder George & Bev Woodard raise dues and it gives the Board Ralph Brendler Georgie Maltby Dennis D . Woodruff Randy & Julie Brown Alan P. & Catherine Marco Lawrence E. & Cindy Yopp Jr. of Directors a little more income Robert A. & Joan Brown James & Pat Mau Fred E. Young to use for existing programs or to Joe & Sharon Buchanan Lewis & Joan McDonald Jr. James F. & Lillian Zboyovsky fund new programs. We appreci­ Richard P. & Marlene Cadieux Michael E. & Andrea L. McGee ate your generosity and offer our James Cascarano John & Barbttra MoKiernan Additional Gifts sincere thanks for your support of Riccardo & Laura L. Chetoni William & Judith McMillen Jeff & Rhonda Baum Bill & Barbara Collins Frederick D. & Elizabeth Mears M-WTCA. Fred K. & Nancy Brackbill Harry & Louise Conner John Meneely Charles & Gwen Brooks Nelson & Melissa Coressel Jr. Jack Meuschke Benefactors William S. & Kathleen Brooks James & Geraldine Courter Clyde Moore David E. Buch.arum Bin & Hildegard Adsit Jan A & Karen H. Cover David Moore Alson & Maxine Catledge Andrew & Anna Mae D'Elia Terry E. & Loriene Crosby Sanford & Barbara Moss Henry L &. Linda Caudle Adan & Lissette Rivera V emon & Marijean Cumings David L. & Frances S. Murdoch Riccardo & Laura Landi Chetoni Willie & Jean Royal William & Nancy Cutts James & Kathy Nelson Keith & Maryann Cheveralls Frank & Virginia Tolford Jim & Carol Davis Pete & Lorelei Niederberger Clare M &. Marlene Christen.sen Paul & Eileen Van Pemis Emmet E. & June Delay Timothy & Deborah Nustad Alton & Sandra Cronk Carlos C. & Connie Whaley David Dell Jim & Cheryl O'Brien Alfred & Charlene Dobberfuhl Donald W. & Patricia Devine Wayne R. & Ginny Olson Nason J. & Sandra S. Donahue SIUtailling Membas Rex & Shirley Dietderich Ed Osborne Dan & Dorothea Duey Daniel & Karen Dodrill Pat O'Shea Edward Blatnick Anthony L. & Lois Engles James & Hillery Durochia Whitney Osterud William S. & Kath1een Brooks Denni~ Freund Roy Ebersole Norman P. & Annemarie Otto David E. Buchanan Robert & Julia Fuller Dell Edwards Robert L. & Alice Petrovic Marvin B. & Joan Bunn Maurice & Judy Gambrel Carlton K. & Susan Fabler Charles L. & Betty Pettett Keith & Maryann Cheveralls Chalmers & Beverly Gordon Wayne & Jeanette Feely Roger & Eleanore Phillips Alton & Sandra Cronk Karl Gurlicke Alan L. & Rose Fetty Tom H. Pointer Mark A DeVito Wayne H. Hatz Bob & Patsy Fields Robert & Diana Pottorff Dennis G. & Glenna Fisher Milo & Mary Hochstedler John & Frances Fite Herb Proffit Gordon Forester John & Deborah P. Hollis John & Eileen Fitzgerald Russell & Helen Regnery Doug & Geraldine Fowler Jared & Linda Isaacs Otto LeRoy & Zelda Fletcher Paul & Arlene Remelius Dennis Freund James S. & Judi Jones Robert A & Sylvia A 'Freed Ashton T. & Stephanie Reynolds Maurice & Judy Gambrel Catharine C. Kennedy Dennis Fuller Ed & Laverna Richards Chalmers Gordon William W. & Helen Kronmueller Paul L. & Margaret L. Furbeck Robert C. & Marietta Riese Karl Gurlicke James P. & Gretchen Kullmer Alvin & Phyllis Furrer Robert & Vemice K. Rups Thomas A Henry Ray & Gloria McDonald Wayne A. Gassner Dan G. Rushing F.d & KAthy Hobbs William J. & Elizabeth D. Morsan Ronnie Glover John M. Rutt MD Jared & Linda Isaacs Steven W. Neale Robert C. & Mary M Goodwell Bill Schirado Ken Polly Kranzusch Pete & Lorelei Niederberger Wallace & Eleanor Gordon Dennis Schlifflce Robert R. & Lola Llewellyn LeRoy & Doris Oelschlager Dr Paul E. & Marylin Gorham. Richard S. Schrnechel Ronald W. Pearson Michael A Pettyjohn Jeff Gray Wolfgang Schmidt Allen & Susan Roderick Frank E. & Jo Postle Steven Gretter Michael & Anna L. Sepsey Clifford & Annette Sapienza John A & Sandi Reed Jerome & Jane Grismer R. Judd & Nancy Sherman Nanette Schulte Allen & Susan Roderick Jeff Grothaus Steven & Jane Simpson Alf & Karan Sjoberg David Russell Werner H. Gumpertz Johnnie & Rena Smith Siegfried & Renate Snyder Clifford & Annette Sapienz.a John W . & Jackie Hager Terrence J. & Regina Smith Peter J. & Cassie Strasser Elliot & Mary Jane Sayward Jonathan & Merrill Hanke Mark Snyder Sam & Shirley Strauss Jr. M-WTCA.ORGGeorge R Shem- Jr Chuck & Ruth Ann Hartman Robert & Sherry Stidfole Gary & Terri Studebaker Siegfried & Renate Snyder Tom & Hermy Hatley Jr. Harold & Beth Stiffler Russell J. Vestuto Peter J. & Cassie Strasser Terry & Rhonda Haver Mary Lou Stover John G. & Janet Wells Verne E. & Laverne Vollrath Alan Hochhalter W.L. (Bill) & Kristi Stover Tom & Barbara Witte Tom & Barbara Witte Atlee J. & Drusilla Hochstetler Frederic S & Cheri Thompson Gale & Donna Zerkle Foster & Carolyn Woodward David & Jeanne Jeffers Irene Thompson Contributing Members Jan & Dianne Johnson Robert & Lucinda Thornburg Tom & Carol Jordens Louis R. & Linda Tilton Lynn W . & Donna Anderson Robert M. & Geraldine Josl}n RichardB. & JeanM. Tobin Don & Patsy Anundsen Patrick & Kathy Joy Doug & Deb Ulin Delle & Linda Ashdown Gary R. & Connie F Kane Roy & Jane Underhill Bill & Martha Bair Walter H. & Diane Karsten Robert & Kathy Valich David Baker Ashley Kennedy Marsha Vander Heyden Dick & Sandy Ballou Jim & Sue Kirby Pete & Sherry Vaughan Nelson Banfield

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 17 What Influence Did Religious Thinking of the Period Have on This Early Planemaker's Life?

ByJohgShaw t~e Epworth Rectory where the Wesleys England in 1764. lived. Ever afterward his mother thought George Whitefield was born in 1714 ollecting early tools gives us an op­ of him as "a brand plucked from the burn­ in Gloucester, England, and died in \., portunity to learn about our ances­ ing," and she prayed that she would be Newburyport, MA, in 1770. He became ~ "more specially careful of the soul of this ~ors and the influence they had on acq11:ainted with John and Charles Wesley society in their times. As we learn about child." That was no easy task as John's and m 1735 experienced a religious con­ London's famous planemaker Christopher mother had 19 children in 20 years. version. In 1736, he began an evangeliz­ Gabriel, we see the influence of five men While in Oxford, John became the ing tour in Bath, Bristol and other towns who, through the ages, have shaped lives leader of a small group of students, in­ his eloquence at once attracting immens~ in Great Britain and the United States. clu~ing his brother Charles and George crowds. As the clergy did not welcome him to their pulpits, he began to preach in Christopher Gabriel was born in Whitefield, who met for Bible study and the open air, "and his voice was so clear Falmouth, Cornwall, in 17 46 and died in prayer. Known as "the Holy Club," they and powerful that it could reach 20,000 1809. He was a successful planemaker in taught a system of methods for living a folk," it was said. London from 1770 to 1809. To understand Christian life and were derisively called Christopher is to first understand the reli­ "Methodists." Whitefield was equally successful gious environment in England during the Sometime between 1735 and 1738 in America in 1739-40 where he was 1700s and its influence on him. At least John and Charles served as missionarie~ one of the leading figures in the "Great five persons shaped that environment: to the colony of Georgia in America. The Awakening," preaching in all the princi­ Isaac Watts, John and Charles Wesley, return trip to England was stormy and pal towns in the Atlantic seaboard. "The Peter Bohler and George Whitefield. dangerous. John was deeply impressed by Great Awakening," stated John Gar­ raty, "was one of the first truly national Isaac Watts, 1674-1748, was born the c~m faith of a gr?up of passengers, events in colonial history: every district in Southampton, England, the eldest of Moravians from Austna, who sang hymns from New England to Georgia, from the nine children. Watts' volume, "Hymns in the midst of the storm. In 1738, both seaport towns to the scattered cabins of and Spiritual Songs," published in 1707, John and Charles experienced "conver­ the far frontiers, felt its impact." On his was the first real hymnbook in the English sion." They were strongly influenced by last voyage in 1769, he arranged for the language. Before this, only Psalms were the Moravian-inspired society in Fetter conversion of his orphanage into Bethesda sung in church. His joyful hymns helped Lane, London. The same year, John trav­ College. to prepare the way for the great revival eled to Germany and met the Moravian under the Wesleys and Whitefield. Watts leader, Count von Zingerdorf of Herrnhut, Looking closer at Christopher Ga­ wrote more than 600 hymns, including who encouraged him to translate some of b~el, at age 11 he began keeping exten­ "Joy to the World, the Lord Is Come " the German hymns. sive records in "Christopher Gabriel His "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross'." John often preached fifteen sermons Book 1757." One of his early entries was and "O God Our Help in Ages Past. " a week and traveled mostly on horse­ that on 30 May 1756 he went to church in the morning, in the afternoon and again Charles Wesley was born in 1707, back, nearly 5,000 miles a year. It has in the evening, recording the text of the the same year Isaac Watts' hymnal was bee!l noted that John Wesley and George sermons at each of these services. He was published. He was born several weeks Whitefield led one of the greatest spiritual not keen on religion, however, as he later before his time and appeared "more dead movements in the history of the Christian wrote that he had tried "to avoid Public than alive." He was "carefully wrapped in ch11:rch. Their preaching ignited a great Worship with idle excuses." warm wool." On the day he was supposed revival that possibly delivered England to be born, he opened his eyes and cried. from a revolution like the one that tore Christopher completed his seven-year France apart. ~e ~ote ?lore than 6,000 hymns, vary­ apprenticeship in 1766 and moved to Lon­ mg m ment, and some stood out such as Peter Bohler was born in Frankfurt don where he married in 1769. In 1770, "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing"M-WTCA.ORG ~d "Jesu~ the first of their nine children was born am Main, Germany, in 1712 and died in Christ Is Risen Today." Peter Bohler, his London in 177 5. In 173 7, he was ordained but only three survived infancy. ' Moravian friend, said to him, "If I had one into the Moravian ministry and sent on thousand tongues, I'd praise Christ with Both Christopher and (his wife) Alice a missionary journey to Savannah, GA. had very strong religious beliefs. As Alice them all." One year after his conversion In April 1735, en route to America, he Charles wrote: wrote in later life, she had, from an early founded the Fetter Lane Society in London age, been very concerned with her faith, 0 for a thousand tongues to sing and was instrumental in bringing about and about the time she was 17 she first John Wesley's "heart warming" of May My great Redeemer's praise, heard one of the followers of John Wesley The glories of my God and King, 24. Fol~owing a period of preaching in preaching. Authors Jean and Mark Rees The triumphs of His grace. Yorkshire he went to Pennsylvania in note: "In due course Christopher became 1742. OnJan.10, 1748,hewasappointed firmly committed to the Wesleyan faith." John Wesley was born in 1703, four a Moravian bishop. In 1753, he went to years before his brother Charles. At age America for the third time, returning to In the summer of 1778, Christopher 5 he was the last rescued from the fire in The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 18 paid a visit to his parents and sister, Jane, in Falmouth and on his return to London wrote to his sister, not only telling her how much he had enjoyed his visit but also how he had found his beliefs. Further evidence is contained in a letter he wrote to Edward (his son) and his wife shortly before his death, encouraging them in their Christian beliefs. In the 18th century, the Wesleyans were still within the Church of England although they also held additional prayer and preaching meetings. When John Wesley's 'new chapel' was opened in City Road, the congregation continued to attend St. Luke's Church in Old Street as their parish church. St Luke's is just four doors to the east of 100 Old Street where Christopher located in 1779. Christopher was an active member of this church and a notice of a vestry meeting is tipped into his book. It is quite possible, therefore, that Christopher and Alice were acquainted with John Wesley Examples of Christopher Gabriel planes are (from left) the J. Charity astragal and hollow sash himself. The family connection with the plane, two No. 14 table joint planes, a late complex molder and an early dado plane. Early chapel in City Road continued for many planes had flat chamfers and rounded wedges; later planes had rounded chamfers. years. A memorial in the chapel to John Wild Gabriel, Christopher's grandson, diversified and was known as "timber & London: Harper and Row Inc., 1966. merchants," "chair manufacturers" and records his contributions to the chapel McCusker, John J., "Comparing the Purchasing and its schools. "pianoforte makers." His high quality planes can be found in tool collections in Power of Money in the United States (or Because Christopher Gabriel's Great Britain and the United States. Colonies) from 1665 to Any Other Year records have survived, it is possible Including the Present." Economic History to trace his prosperity as well as the After studying Gabriel, his tools are Services, 2001, URL: http:/ /www.eh.net/ personal notes contained therein. As he more than objects that reshape wood. hmit/ppowerusd/. They have become objects that link us prospered as a planemaker, he bought Officer, Lawrence H., "Exchange Rate Between the property. He died owning 23 properties. to him as a person and subsequently re­ mind us of his religious beliefs. However, United States Dollar and the British Pound, In 1770, he began his planemaking with 1791-2000." Economic History Services, £131. By 1794 both the value of the stock his records do not shed light on how his religious beliefs may have contributed ERNet, 2001. URL: http://www.eh.net/hmit/ and implements in trade were valued at exchangerates/pound.php. £1,950 and his total wealth at £5,173. A to his social and material success, a typical tradesman's wage at that time was success that was sustained for seven Pollak, Emil and Martyl, "A Guide to the Makers £50 per year. generations. of American Wooden Planes," Fourth Edition Isaac Watts, by publishing his 1707 Expanded and Revised by Thomas Elliott. The Christopher's sons and grandsons Astragal Press, 2001. continued to build on his good reputation. hymn book in the English language, Thomas Gabriel became Lord Mayor of helped lay the foundation for the great Rees, Jane, and Mark, "Christopher Gabriel and the London in 1866/67 and left a huge estate religious revival under John and Charles Toollrade in 18th Century." 1997, published valued at £371,000. Wesley. Peter Bohler, the Moravian minis­ by Roy Arnold, Needham Mark and available ter, influenced the Wesleys and, like them, in the USA. The Astragal Press. In 1794 one £ wasM-WTCA.ORG worth $4. 75 helped spread the faith in America. The (US dollars). Gabriel's total wealth was Wesleys influenced George Whitefield, Rees, Jane and Mark, "From Granford to Gabriel £5,173, which equaled $24,571.75 (US who played a major role in the "Great in Tools Working Wood in 18th Century dollars). That $24,571.75 in 1794, when Awakening" in America. The Wesleys and America," edited by James M. Gaynor. Wil­ adjusted for inflation, was the equivalent their followers helped shape the religious liamsburg, VA. The Colonial Williamsburg of $400,520.27 in 2002. Gabriel's total thinking of Christopher Gabriel and his Foundation, 1997. wealth of £5,173 is quite a contrast to the family. Gabriel's planes cause us to . think wealth of American planemakers Cesar about him, the people of Great Britain and Smith, Jane Stuart and Betty Carlson, "Great Chelor and John Walton, Jr. whose estates America, and what may have influenced Christian Hymn Writers." Wheaton, Ill: Good were valued at approximately £77 in 1784 and shaped their religious thinking and News Publishers, 1997. and £4 72 in 1785, respectively. values more than 200 years ago. Walsh, Michael, ed. "Dictionary of Christian The making of planes required beech Selected Bibliography Biography." Collegeville, MN. The Liturgical wood, which Gabriel bought, converted Press, 2001. and seasoned in quantity. His business Garraty, John A. "The American Nation." New York The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 19 A Little Known Stanley Rule Feature

By §esu,e Wanamaker second, it gives you an exact end to end measurement of 8 feet on the No. 348 and 10 feet on the No. 3410. This is listed as s author was out "tooling," looking a patented feature, though I do not know for collectible carpenter tools, and I the patent number. ~ saw, in a case, a beautiful orange and dark blue Stanley tape measure On arriving home I checked my No. box marked 346W. On asking to see it, I 348 and No. 3410 tapes. They all had this found not only an excellent example of a feature. I have since checked all tapes No. 346W tape measure, but also a set of that I see with these numbers and all have directions. The directions turned out to had this feature, except one, which ap­ be the real find. peared to have a replacement blade. Yes, these blades are replaceable, too. The directions listed the features of the 346 tape and how to care for the blade The big question for this author was on the front. On the back they showed why had I never seen or heard of this fea­ how to take an inside measurement, how ture? After communicating with several to replace a blade and how to take end to other ruler collectors and Stanley tool end measurements. This last feature was collectors, none of them had ever heard A Stanley No. 348 tape measure with only available on the No. 348 and No. 3410 of or seen this either. To answer the ques­ swivel feature at 8-foot mark. tape measures. As this tape was a No. 346 tion, I hypothesize that a) we rarely pull it did not have this feature. I could hardly a tape out to its maximum extension as wait to get home to check out this feature. this is very hard on a rewinding spring; b) this was a very little used feature so I had never heard of anything like it. the No. 348 and No. 3410 produced prior knowledge of it was not passed by users to the introduction of the No. 348 and This feature is a right angle swivel, to others; and c) very few examples of No. 3410 Glide-0-Matics in 1957. I have on a rivet, at the 8-foot mark on the No. the printed directions have survived and checked a very large number of tapes 348 and the 10-foot mark on the No. it is written in no books, so it was read and only found this feature on the above 3410. You pull the blade out all the way by very few people. to the end and turn the case at a right mentioned tape measures. angle to the tape. This does two things: At this time it would appear that the first, it keeps the blade from retracting; only tape measures with this feature are

M-WTCA.ORG

A Stanley No. 3410 tape measure with swivel The front page of directions listing the swivel feature feature at 10-foot mark. on the 348 and 3410 tape measures.

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 20 Where New Members Come From: A Membership Drive Update

By Ed Hobbs From the list below, you can see some George Whiley of those that have found new members Howard Busse since my article in the last issue of The Ira Wilson e measure we use for membership Gristmill. (The numbers in parenthesis Jack Devitt each year is the total as of Feb. 28, indicate multiple new members.) These Jacques Heroux the last date for a member's name to t will be combined with those that were Jason Miller be included in the directory. listed in the last issue to determine the Jim Conover This number includes all those that winners of the Membership Recognition Jim Hiatt renewed plus any that have recently Event that was announced a couple of is­ Jim Ridgeway joined. We did fairly well this year but sues ago. Since this is working so well, John Clark still lacked 46 members from having the we are going to extend this event until John Turbek 3,547 that we had in 2003 and we were about the end of June. John Walkowaik (5) 35 shy of what we had in 2002. Not bad And speaking of winners, we should John Welch considering the economy. all keep in mind that everyone is a win­ Ken Newell ner when we have a strong membership Lloyd Hanley As has been said in the past, member­ Lyndon Moore ship is everyone's responsibility. Every­ - whether it is the new member or those that have belonged for a long time. Strong Martin Donnelly (3) one has a part to play. Whether you give membership contributes to the long-term Mary Lou Stover (4) demonstrations, sell tools or are simply viability of any organization so please Matt Borders (3) out and about, we all have an opportunity keep it up! Michael Jackson to come in contact with those that share Mike Jenkins our interest. Take the time to mention Al Westmoreland Norm Otto the benefits of belonging to M-WTCA and Albert Mitchell Paul Boldt always keep copies of our membership ap­ Andrew Midkiff Pete Hartmann plication handy. And to those that host Area Q (2) Ray Heebsh or help host area meetings, many, many Bill Kraft Richard Allen thanks. Area meetings are M-WTCA to Bob Stuefen Robbie Field a large percentage of our members so Dennis Eckstein Robert Green please continue this important activity. Eric Mattson (2) Roger Birkhead Roger Oehmke Ron Campbell Russ Allen Slav Jelesijevich (3) Stan Shapiro Steve Bruder Steve Cook Steve Keller Steven Wiles Thom Trail (2) Tim Bonilli Walt Karsten (3) Warner Area P (3) Wayne Anderson William Zamzow Wood Magazine M-WTCA.ORGCorrection

Two dates were wrong in the introduction to an article in the March issue, "The Rivalry That Drove Two Austrian Tool Makers," by Tom Richards. It should have read that Weiss & Sohn ceased production in 1983 after 163 years in business. In one instance Richards was incor­ rectly referred to as Edwards. We apologize for the errors. The directions on the back of the page for the Stanley tape measures.

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 21 Annual Antique Tool Fair and Antique Tool Auction July 9 & 10, 2004 · 600 Lots Sold Each Day Withington Auction Estate· Hillsboro Center, New Hampshire Auctioneer Richard Withington, New Hampshire License No. 1 Join Us for High Summer in New Hampshire! ~ More than 200 Dealer Spaces - Spaces Just $35.00 Each ~ Friday Auction 600 Lots 1:01 p.m. -- Overnight Camping On Site ~ Saturday Auction 601 Lots 9:31 a.m. ~ Tool Fair Opens at Dawn Saturday ~ Dealer Spaces Just $35.00 ~ During Brimfield Week! ~ For Details Call: (800) 869-0695 J&> Plan Today to Make the Trip! Call for Details: (800) 869-0695

All Items in All Auctions Photographed and A vailahle for Secure Online Absentee Bidding at www .mjdtools.com/auction Full Color. 80 Page Auction Catalogue for the July Sale: $17.95 or Subscribe 6 Save at www.mjdtools .. com Annual Open House Antique Tool Auction Friday and Saturday, August 20 & 21, 2004 Martin J. Donnelly Antique Tools · 5223 County Route 8 · Avoca, New York Special Note: Please plan to join us for a Quadruple Joint Regional Meeting of the Mid­ www.mjdtools.com West Tool Collectors Association, Early American Industries Association, the Western New York Tool Collectors and the Tool Group of Canada at our World Headquarters Complex in Avoca, New York. Plans call for tool trading beginning at dawn on Saturday, demonstrations, presentations and more, followed by an auction of 901 lots called by Live Free or Die Auctioneer Paul Wilmott. Registration Details for the meeting are being han­ dled by Western New York Tool Collector's Association President Chuck Wirtenson. To register, please send $5.00 payable M-WTCA.ORGto Chuch Wirtenson and indicate whether or not you will be selling. There is an additional fee of $5 .00 fee for each dealer space. Chuck Wirtenson Registration Fee of $5 .00 President, WNYTCA Includes Donuts & Coffee PO Box 109 there is an additional fee of Verona NY 13478 $5 .00 for each dealer space. (315) 363-7682 All Proceeds to Tool Clubs

Our auction of 901 Lots will begin at 9:31 a.m. and will feature the several complete woodworking shops. Included are a wide range of power shop woodworking tools and hand tools of every sort. Also included in the sale will be a Stanley No. 9 Mitre Plane, many other scarce STANLEY items, chisels, edge tools, blacksmith's tools and more. Nearly 6000 tools will be included in the sale. Auction Preview and Open House All Day Friday. Please plan to join us for an enjoyable day in the country! Please check our The Donnelly Compound. ca. 1965 web site for lodging information or give us a call at (800) 869-0695.

Live Free or Die Antique Tool Auctions - A Division of Martin J. Donnelly Antique Tools - (800) 869-0695 Live Free or Die Antique Tool Auctions The World's Largest Specialist Auctioneers ofAntique Hand Tools A Division of Martin J. Donnelly Antique Tools, Avoca, New York (800) 869-0695 · Eleven Great Auctions! · www.mjdtools.com Balance of Auction Schedule for 2004 Listed Auction: Holiday Inn Everett Turnpike Friday, September17 Nashua, New Hampshire Antique Tool Fair Withington Auction Estate Auctioneer: Paul Wilmott & Catalogue Auction: Hillsboro Center, NH Catalogue Auction: Holiday Inn Everett Turnpike Friday & Saturday Total of 1201 Lots for Two Days! Saturday, September, 18 Nashua, New Hampshire July 9 & 10 Tool Fair at Dawn Saturday Auctioneer: Paul Wilmott Auctioneer: Richard Withington Listed Auction: Sheraton Four Points Hotel Open House Auction Martin J. Donnelly Friday, October 8 Indianapolis, Indiana & Joint Tool Meeting: Auctioneer: Bill Baxter Saturday, August 21 Avoca, New York Catalogue Auction: Sheraton Four Points Hotel Auctioneer Paul Wilmott Saturday, October 9 Indianapolis, Indiana Auctioneer: Bill Baxter Special Advance Notice: Coming in Our Fall Auctions ... The Complete Antique Tool Collection of Dr. Daniel Weinstock e are delighted to announce that our September and October, 2004 auctions will feature the legendary collection of Dr. Daniel Weinstock of Geneva, New York in its entirety. The WWeinstock Collection includes a superb array of great patented American planes, including the cased set of plane models produced by inventor and patentee Louis Rodi er as well as a wide range of other select quality antique tools. Please plan to join us on September 17th and 18th in Nashua, New Hampshire and on October 7th and 8th in Indianapolis, Indiana as this great collection is sold.

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Early European Axes: The Art of Axe Making

Px Jobo Ueos0o and form can be influenced by a number of factors. The age, ethnic origin, spe­ cialized use or trade, geographic origin, riting an article on early axes blacksmith's skill and availability of raw J// was both easy and difficult for materials all have significant influence. W!I me. Easy, because of my passion for these early primitive edged tools, and Many early axes had multiple uses difficult, because of the general lack of and applications. While the initial design comprehensive information available and form was specific to a task, the tool about early axes. As axe collectors know, could be used for hewing timbers one day determining the age, origin and history of and used for defending family and home early axes can be very hard. the next. It fires the imagination to think what these early axes have been through. There have been any number of high When you look at the aged patina, wear quality publications and articles over the patterns and character of some of the years that have provided information on more primitive examples, you only wish axes, but for collectors that are interested the axe could talk and tell about its his­ in early hand-forged axes of European ori­ tory. gin, information is scarce. Unlike more re­ cently manufactured patented tools, infor­ Because the subject of axe collect­ mation on the history, dating and origin of ing is so vast and varied, and because many axe forms is limited or not available. my specialized area of interest is in early Finding an early hand-forged axe that has hand-forged European forms, I will con­ a date stamped on it can provide valuable centrate this article in that limited area. insight as it relates to comparing that axe The axe forms and variations reviewed in form to similar axe forms. We have, for this article will include goose wing axes, Figure 1 The European long axe. the purpose of this article, not attempted woodwrights, wheelwrights, coach mak­ European Long Bladed-Goose Wing to determine the exact age of the axes, ers, decorated axes and other specialty other than to speculate that one appears axe forms. Figure 1 earlier than another. The axes pictured in The European long-bladed goose this article could span 500 to 600 years of Goose Wing Axe time or more. We think that the examples wing is arguably one of the most beauti­ pictured range from the 15th century axe The Germanic or Austrian goose wing ful and dramatic of the family of goose to the 19th century. axe can be found in a number of unique wing variations. The length of the cutting variations. The primary use of the goose edge on these axes can vary from about The information and observations wing as a tool was for squaring timbers. 17 to 2 7 inches. What is unusual is the used for this article come from relatively After years of collecting goose wing axes, size and length of the haft as compared few sources. Fellow axe collectors, auc­ we have noticed that the majority of the to the length of the cutting edge. tion catalogs, reference material, avail­ goose wings fall into unique groupings as -On the examples we have encoun­ able books and many years of collecting far as their shape is concerned. The name have provided enough information for tered, the handles are very short and (goose wing), given to this form of axe, generally are 3 1/2 to 7 inches in length. us to know that what we do know is was coined here in America in the 20th limited. Upon examination of the handles, the century and did not originate in Europe wear patterns and aged patina seem to in­ It is my sincere hope thatM-WTCA.ORG the fol­ where most of these axes came from. For dicate that the short handles were original lowing overview of a limited portion of the sake of this article, we have grouped to the axe. It would have been interesting the vast world of early axes will provide all goose wing axes into the following: to observe how these long axes with the some insight and also prompt responses long-bladed Austrian goose wing, early short handles were actually used. from those collectors that can provide (up-swung) true goose wing, curved tip additional data and correct any mistakes goose wing, center hung double bevel Having actually hand-hewed a log that I may have made. up-swung goose wing, traditional (most building back in 1993, we found that an common) goose wing, and lastly the offset 15-inch long handle worked well It still never ceases to amaze me, even unique, uncommon goose wing forms. in hewing 20-foot-long logs square on all after so manyyears of collecting axes,just All of these goose wings have similari­ four sides. All the European long axes we how many different variations and forms ties and some very distinct differences. It have seen are single bevel side axes and there are to be found.Variations in axe is those similarities and differences that seldom have the distinctive raised ridge shape, form and design can be dramatic spanned centuries of axe making history next to the socket on the blade. The dis­ or can also be very subtle. That shape that make this so interesting. tance or separation between the handle

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 24 socket and the lower portion of the axe True (Up-swung) Goose Wing Axe blade nearest to the socket is generally from 1 1/2 to 3 inches. Figure 2 These long Austrian axes usually This early form of wing type or up­ have touch mark decoration of some sort swung goose wing (true goose wing) is and almost always have decorative cut probably the rarest form of the goose outs in the lower bottom portion on the wing variations. These axes are seldom blade. Through examination of these cut­ encountered and when they are, it ap­ outs, we have not seen any evidence that pears they could be much earlier than they were anything but decorative. We other goose wing forms. The blades on have not encountered a European long these early axes tend to be thin and the axe that had a date stamped on it. All axes fairly light in weight compared to the references to this form of goose wing that later goose wing forms. While the other we have seen referred to it as Austrian goose wing forms have the appearance of in origin. being a wood working tool, the up-swung axes look like they could be used for battle The handle sockets on these axes are as well. generally 4 to 6 inches in length and are almost always round and tapered and not It would be interesting to determine oblong as seen on the sockets on other if this up-swung form of goose wing was goose wing variations. All examples have unique to a specific ethnic or geographic had a hammer pole forged on the back of background. Did the early blacksmiths the handle socket. We have noticed that forge different goose wing axe forms the handle socket is sometimes forged based on the person they were making Figure 3 Curved tip goosewing with an offset in relation to the axe blade for, or did their ethnic background and and on other examples is not. This angled geographic location dictate the form? Of all the different goose wing axes we opposed to other smaller forms of hewing offset was done to facilitate the hewing and shaping axes which were probably process. have seen over the years, we have yet to see two entirely different goose wing axe used with one hand. The wing type goose Of all the long axes we have seen, forms stamped with the same maker's wing may or may not have the distinctive only one example was forged for a left­ stamp. raised ridge forged in to the blade next handed person. Left-handed goose wings to the handle socket. The ones we have on the other forms are more frequent. A The wing type goose wings do not seen with the ridge have a much less highly decorated example with dramatic appear to vary much. We have seen these pronounced ridge that on other goose cutout decoration on the blade would ax~s depicted as pole arms (halberds), wing forms. demand a high position in any axe col­ which may very well be the individual lection. case, but we believe that their primary Curved Tip Goose Wing Axe use was for squaring timbers. Figure 3 What makes these axes stand out from other goose wings is the unmistak­ The curved tip goose wing form is able way that the majority of the axe unique and very attractive. We have at­ blade extends upward from the handle tempted to determine the reason for the socket, thus giving the axe the unmis­ curved tip on the top of the axe blade and takable shape of a goose's wing. There have not been able to obtain a definite is generally little separation between the answer. handle socket and lower portion of the The curved tip goose wing form is axe blade nearest the socket, and this unique for a number of reasons. The distance is generally from 1 to 2 inches. examples have many similarities. The We have seen up-swung goose wing axes amount of the curve at the top of the axe both with and without an extended handle blade can vary from a very slight curve to M-WTCA.ORGsocket. The two examples in figure #2 do a curve of 180 degrees. All of the axes of not have the extended socket. this type we have seen have had the entire This form of up-swung goose wing portion of the curved tip sharpened for tends to have less decoration on it, as use. It would have been hard to imagine compared to other goose wing forms, how the curved tip portion of the cutting and we don't know why. When there is edge would have been used in squaring decoration, it tends to appear in the center timbers. of the blade nearest to the handle socket. The distance and separation between The length of the cutting edges seem to the handle socket and the lower inside vary but the overall size of these axes portion of the axe blade is generally from ranges from 10 to 17 inches. 1/2 inch to 1 inch. All of the axes we have All of the goose wings would appear inspected have had a very pronounced Figure 2 True (upswing) goosewing to have been designed for both hands as continued on page 26

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 25 Early European Axes: The Art of Axe Making

that it is unique to side (hewing axes) and ter is a blacksmith's guild (union) stamp does not appear on center hung, double or mark. It generally appears next to the bevel axes. We would be interested in maker's stamp (s). A group of blacksmiths hearing from any reader that could pro­ may join together and form a guild in a vide insight on this feature. settlement or geographic region and mark their work by using the guild stamp in The handle sockets on the traditional conjunction with their own maker's marks goose wing are seldom round and are usu­ on the tools they forge. ally oblong and tapered. The sockets vary in length from 2 to 4 inches, and may or The types and variations of maker's may not be forged with an offset for a and guild stamps on early axes is very in­ left- or right-handed user. The distance teresting. These stamps can be simplistic and separation between the handle socket or very ornate and detailed. and the lower portion of the blade nearest the socket can vary a lot and is generally The maker's stamps are usually the from 3/4 to 3 1/2 inches. For some reason, initials of the blacksmith, but we also see the German goose wing examples have a many unique symbols used in maker's smaller separation distance than do the stamps as well. One of the most unusual Austrian examples. examples appears on a matched set of left­ and right-handed goose wing axes. It has Because many of the early axes were two very large (1 inch square) maker's made and in use for hundreds of years, stamps with the initials of the marker and individual examples which appear to be the serial number of the axe. This pair of identical axe forms can be found that goose wings is very early with one axe Figure 4 Traditional goosewing range widely in their age. It is for this numbered 65 and the other numbered 829. continued from page 25 reason that dating these early axes can In both cases the serial number is incorpo­ be difficult. rated into the hot stamp and not etched in raised ridge forged on the blade next to after. Clearly, this blacksmith had forged the handle socket. We have not seen a lot Decoration and touch marks mayor a minimum of 829 pieces. The two axes of curved tip goose wing axes with touch may not be present on the traditional form are, for the most part, identical, other than marks and decoration. The fact that this of goose wing axe. The different types of they are left and right. If only there could form of goose wing is seldom decorated decorations have, for the most part, been have been records kept in early times of raises the question, why? It is just these predictable and recur frequently. It is the makers and their stamps, what insight sorts of observations and questions for rare to find highly decorated axes with that would provide. which we seek answers. We have ob­ decoration that deviates trom the most served handle sockets on this axe form, common. Numerous other types of decoration that have been forged offset to the axe blade and other examples that were not. The two examples in Figure 4 are profusely decorated. The goose wing on We have attempted to find out what the right side is dated 1790, and has most geographic or ethnic influence was the of the blade surface covered with various origin for the curved tip goose wing axe, geometric designs and markings. When without success. We frequently see this we do find highly decorated goose wings, form of goose v.ing referred to as Austrian the hammer pole tends to have line deco­ frequently. On a rarity scale we encounter ration on it as well. the curve tip goose wing less frequently than the tradition goose wing forms The most common types of stamps and decoration generally fall into distinct Traditional Goose wing Axe groups. The most frequent is the black­ M-WTCA.ORGsmith's (maker's stamp or mark). This Figure 4 can be a few as one stamp and as many The most common goose wing axe is as four stamps. We have not seen an axe with more than four maker's stamps, and the traditional form which has as much of the axe blade extended upward from the generally see two or three. The maker's handle socket as it has extending down­ stamp will most often appear on the axe ward. Being the most common form, we blade next to the point at which the blade have found many variations. is forged to the pole or socket. Other than on the American made goose wing axes, The distinctive raised ridge may or we don't see makers stamps on Austrian may not appear on the axe blade next to or German axes that are the actual names the handle socket. We have not been able of the blacksmith. to determine when this feature first ap­ Figure 5 Tree of Life axe peared on hewing axes, but we do know Another type of mark we may encoun-

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 26 itself. The axe pictured in Figure 6 is a center hung battle or beheading axe with a heavy curved cutting edge. This axe is stamped with the date 1602, which makes it our earliest dated axe. This particular axe appeared to have been modified at one point radically from a side axe to a center hung battle axe with a curved cut­ ting edge. What a history this axe must have. File decoration in the form of cham­ fers and bevels may also appear in vari­ ous locations on the axe blade, socket or socket hammer pole. One particularly interesting example of this type of file decoration we noted on a number of com­ pletely different goose wing axes, all by different makers and of varying ages. This decoration was in the form of contoured scallops or bevels that were filed along the bottom edge of the axe blade. The un­ Figure 6 IHS 1602 axe answered questions are why this unique similar type of file decoration appears on Figure 8 Woodwright's axe in various configurations may appear on a number of different goose wing forms of and numerous fancy line decoration. Next the axe blade and sometimes on the ham­ vastly different ages and why? to the two sets of initials is stamped the mer pole. These decorations are generally Highly decorated and/or dated axes date 17 43. There are three raised ridges in the form of dots, star stamps, sawtooth are a rarity and are seldom found. One next to the handle socket, covered with scallop-shaped stamps, line decoration, particular decorated axe was made spe­ dot decoration on this outstanding ex - star clusters, religious symbols, dates, cifically for a wedding as a presentation ample. Presentation axes of any type are owner's initials, file decoration and other axe. This outstanding Austrian example is very rare. hot stamp type decoration, all applied to a (2/3 sized) traditional form goose wing, the axe blade while the metal is hot. It's with the axe blade highly decorated with (Center Hung) Goose Wing Axe how the blacksmith adorns his axe with the initials of the bride and groom. The the various hot stamps and marks that majority of the blade is covered with a Figure 7 can make each decorated axe unique. large heart-shaped flower design. Inside This form of early goose wing has The most common decoration is usu­ the design are two doves or bird figures most of the blade extended above the ally found located on the center of the axe handle socket, and for some reason, blade in the form of a flower or rosette generally has a curved extension of the which is composed of a combination of cutting edge at bottom of the blade ex­ star burst stamps, scallop stamps, and tending downward. We have not encoun­ line decoration. tered a single bevel side axe in this form of goose wing. This axe is not a true up­ Another common decoration is called swung form, and yet it is not of the more the tree of life, which most often appears common traditional form of goose wing. on the lower (bearded) portion of the The examples we have seen appear to be axe blade and is generally composed of earlier than the more common traditional clusters of three star stamps and line goose wings. decoration in the shape of a tree. The axe pictured in Figure 5 hasM-WTCA.ORG a tree of life The lower bearded portion of the stamped in an unusual location on the blade that extends downward from the axe blade. A cluster of three dots or star socket does not generally extend below stamps together, (called the sign of the the lowest portion of the handle socket. Trinity) is the symbol for the Father, Son, This axe tends to be found with decora­ and Holy Ghost. This type of marking is tion more times than not, and because it commonly seen on European axes. is a double bevel axe, will not have the distinctive raised ridge on the blade next A less common configuration appear­ to the socket. This dramatic goose wing ing on axes, are the letters IHS (in hoc form is very attractive and stands apart signum) which is a Latin symbol mean­ from the traditional form. ing ·sign of the cross. (See Figure 6). We have observed the IHS symbol generally Unlike the more modem American stamped in the middle of the blade and Figure 7 Center hung goosewing continued on page 28 other examples within the maker's stamp The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 2 7 Early European Axes: The Art of Axe Making continued from page 27 Wheelwright's/ Woodwright' sAxe broad axe, goose wing side axes were forged for either a left- or a right-handed Figure 9 person. The modem broad axe has no What is so enjoyable about the early taper in the handle socket, and therefore European axes is the many different forms the handle can be inserted into either end and the amount of decoration. The bold of the axe head for either a right- or left­ decoration on the axes in Figure 9 are handed person. The double bevel center another example of how the blacksmith hung goose wings are not specific to a adorned his work. It would be interesting right- or left-handed person. to know if the blacksmith determined all of the markings that went on an axe or It is very common to find an axe that if the individual who the axe was being has had a new cutting edge forged onto made for determined the markings? We the blade. It is very interesting to see know that some individuals in early times the modifications that the axe had gone had their own blacksmith shops, and be­ through during this process. A new edge cause of their distance from settlement, can be exactly like the original edge, or a had to forge their own tools. Both axes it can be very different. We have noticed multiple makers stamps on axes that had in Figure 9 are dated. The wheelwright's new edges laid on. In some examples the axe is dated 1707 and the larger coopers entire axe was converted from a left style axe is dated 1872. It is very helpful handed to a right handed with earlier to examine the axes that are dated to help touch marks and smith stamps almost reference an actual date to characteristics erased on the back side of the blade ftom on the axe itself. the re-forging process. The goose wing in Figure 10 Flared carpenter's axe The number of variations and forms Figure 5 is such an axe. This left-handed of axes for all the wood working trades goose wing was once a right-handed axe. and modified, can be very interesting. is vast indeed. It is very difficult to say Maker's marks and decoration appears on Multiple maker's stamps, wear patterns, exactly which axe form is specific to what the back side of this axe blade, as well as patina, and metal consistency can all tell trade or purpose. the front side. Nothing was wasted, and a story about the history of a early axe, these important tools were refurbished and about the period of time that may have Flared Carpenters Side Axes Figure 10 and reworked as the need arose. Close passed between the first cutting edge and inspection of an axe that has had a new the next one. The flared form of carpenters axe edge laid on, or that has been reworked generally are small and designed to be Woodwright's Shaping Axes Figure 8 used with one hand. The cutting edges Woodwrights, coach makers, wheel­ wrights and carpenters shaping axes can be found in many different shapes and forms. We see these axes called by many different names and associated with different trades. They seem to fall into two main forms. They are either what we refer to as bearded, where the entire blade extends downward from the top of the socket, or they have a flared blade which extends equally above and below M-WTCA.ORGthe handle socket. The examples in Figure 8 are bearded coopers' axes and have a significant sepa­ ration between the handle and the lower inside portion of the blade. The origin of this form we believe to be Germanic and/ or Austrian. The majority of the bearded axes we have seen have been single bevel hewing axes and not center hung. This form of bearded axe may be unique to Germany and Austria. These axes gener­ ally have a fine feel in your hand, and were Figure 9 Wheelwright's axe well balanced. Figure 11 Axe with cutouts

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 28 Having inspected numerous examples, wondered what situation must have arisen we have yet to see wear patterns or any centuries ago with the owner of this beau­ indication on the axes that they were ever tiful axe that prompted the cutting edge to used for this purpose. These unique axes be damaged. If the axe could only talk. are still another example of an axe form that has limited histmy available. It would The axes pictured in figure 12 are be interesting to determine the ethnic or early examples. When we are fortunate geographic origin of this axe. enough to have an opportunity to closely inspect items like these, we have a true Some axes have decorative cutouts sense and feeling of respect for the rich in different locations on the axe blade. In history which_must accompany many of all of the different examples that were in­ these specimens. spected, we found that none of the cutouts indicated any wear patterns of ever having Those of us fortunate enough to be been used for any functional purpose. It temporary custodians of these early works would appear that these cutouts were of art have a responsibility to protect and decorative. As with a great number of the preserve these historical artifacts. The early hand forged axes, the imagination, beautiful, rich, aged patina that only skill, and ethnic influence of the maker human sweat and centuries of time can all played a part of what the finished axe create should be preserved intact on these looked like. These early axes could be early tools. These wonderful artifacts have crude simplistic implements, or beauti­ survived centuries, and it is our responsi­ ful works of art. bility to see that they are around for future collectors to enjoy. Figure 12 Early axes Early Axe Variations Figure 12 Axe Artistry-A Work of Art Figure 13 vary from 6 to 9 inches in length. We have There appear to have been countless What more fitting close to an overview found that the majority of the flared axes variations of early axe forms. Those pic­ on early axes, than a fine early example tend to be single bevel side axes with the tured in figure 12 appear to be of a early of a decorated Austrian goose wing. This edge sharpened only on one side of the vintage and have unique characteristics. particular axe exemplifies the art of axe blade. The overall weight of this form The unmistakable black or plum colored making in one of its highest forms. This tends to be heavier that the wheelwrights patina that only centuries of time impart particular example has a very unusual type axe and the bearded side axes which tend make the discovery of each new example of (tree of life) decoration that extends up to have a thinner blade. exciting. We can only imagine who made the axe and what experiences and stories and down the majority of the blade. How The examples of flared axes we bave accompanied the axe and his owners over fortunate for us that the previous users observed don't appear to be as early as the centuries. One of our most profusely and owners preserved this specimen the other woodwrights axe forms. Many decorated goose wings (figure 6) has a in this condition. As collectors of early ofthe vintage handles in these axes have a nasty ~gin the cutting edge. I have often edged tools we are continually in awe fairly radical offset for hewing. We seldom of the finely crafted examples that were see examples that have had new cutting made so many centuries ago under very edges applied or that have been modified primitive conditions. Many of these early as is common with the larger goose wing works of art are truly one of a kind. axes. Both axes pictured in figure 10 are As a collector of early axes, I realize highly decorated examples with original that the observations and information con­ handles. tained in this article are subjective. It is the limited availability of information and Axes With Cutouts (Figure # 11 ) history on early axes that is frustrating for We have not determined that this collectors like myself. I welcome the input form of hewing hand axe was associated and insight of any readers that might share with any particular trade or use. These their knowledge on this subject. We have axes tend to be small, withM-WTCA.ORG cutting edges put our collection on public display many that are generally from 4 to 6 inches in times, and our axes always generate a lot length. We have not seen an example of of interesting questions and comments. a center hung double beveled axe with a We never have as many answers as there cut out in the blade. are questions. We sincerely hope that we can hear from some of our knowledgeable We have observed this form in some readers on the subject of early axes. very early examples and in very recent examples, so that we know this type of On the cover: Afme example ofa highly axe has been around a long time. decorated 17th-18th century Austrian goose wing axe serves as an example of just how What makes these axes unique is the beautiful a simple utilitarian tool can be. cutout in the center of the axe blade. We have seen numerous references to this Figure 13 Axe artistry cutout as being used for pulling nails. The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 29 Two brass back saws. Two steel hacksaws. Two Pairs of Unusual Saws By Phil Baker The Oldest American Saw?

e two pairs of saws pictured may have been manufactured By Phil Baker ~ for some special purpose. T rv Schaffer' s book, "Hand Saw Makers of North America," The upper side of the saw handle where it enters the lists Mary Johnson of Boston making saws either side saw's back has three coves carved in it (a scallop is the oppo­ of 1760. site). Handles of this design by Disston or others are not com­ I mon. Most other backsaws will have a single cove or a hook at The saw pictured bears characteristics that would this point. The only saw with two coves that I have seen is a place it in that time period. The hand wrought, rose head Disston & Sons half-back. Therefore, I am going to call these rivets are original work. The rivet heads are similar to the saws "triple cove." nail heads used to fasten hinges and thumb latches in the 18th century. The back of the saw reflects a smith's work The two brass backs I have dated ca. 1845. Disston brass on the anvil without the steel or tools available in Sheffield backs were not produced in the quantity of steel backs. The at this time. open-handled saw is the first I have seen with a brass back. When found, the teeth were well worn. I shaped them The stamping on the saw backs is the same. The circular for appearance and to test the steel. The steel was not well stamp with the eagle and HENRY DISSTON PHILADa are the tempered. If, in fact, this saw is mid-18th century its condi­ only examples of this mark I have seen. None of my other 60+ tion is marvelous. The London pattern handle is beech. Disston saws is stamped with LONDON SPRING. I have a WIL­ LIAM McNIECE ca 1870 that does. I am looking for opinions on this saw or even confirma­ tion of my thoughts.Does anyone have a similar saw? Is this The raised saw screws and beautifully carved apple wood the oldest American saw? handles combine to indicate they were made for something special. The two steel hacksaws ca. 1855 may indicate something special. The handles are made of walnut. Walnut was used to make Disston' s Victory models. This is the first use of this wood in backsaws I have seen. The saws backs are stampedM-WTCA.ORG with the Disston double eagle. The eagles on an open-handled saw are another first for me. They are quite common on the closed handled type. Both saws have conventional saw and label screws with one exception. The label screw on the closed-handled saw is 3/4-inch in diameter, which is 1/16-inch smaller than conventional. The screws are the split nut type. The triple cove design of the two open handled saws is very rare. Has anyone an example to share? Is this the oldest American saw? Information relating to hacksaws is scant. I am hoping to acquire and share data relating to American hacksaws.

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 30 They Got the Point

Book Describes How 18th Century Children Helped Fashion 16,000 Pins in One Hour of Work -•rt:( ~~-,,--..,, l_ By Eric M, eetecs0o I ith modem machinery almost anything can be mass •J produced, but I have often wondered how the insig- W!I nificant small items were made in times past. Acurry comb. 1 I ran across this account of how pins were made . It was published in 1804, so we can assume that this is how it was done in England in the 18th century. Tools Sought for Mount But first, pins were considered a luxury in the time of Henry VIII when they were first mentioned in print. It seems that on New Year's day in France and England Vernon traditionally pins were given away as gifts. Husbands would give their wives an allowance for their household ByPhjlBahec purchases and that became the phrase "pin-money." By the start of the 1800s iron had been abandoned in ft41 ount Vernon is seeking two tools to complete a display at favor of brass for making pins. This manual process began l._,tlits new Education Center, which will open in 2006. with a roll of brass wire which was reduced in diameter Many of the tools from George Washington's time have by putting through a die. The wire was straightened and come from M-WTCA donors. It is hoped they can provide a curry cut to lengths of about three yards and then again into comb and mason's brick jointer from that period. lengths sufficient to make six pins." ... each end of these is ground to a point, which is performed by a boy, who Washington used a curry comb on his horse. If there is an sets with two small grinding stones before him, turned by 18th century curry comb out there, it need not be as fancy as a wheel. Taking up a handful, he applies the ends to the the one pictured. coarsest of the two stones, being careful at the same time to keep each piece moving round between his fingers, so Years ago the mortar line between courses of brick was that the points may not become flat: he then gives them 5116th to 3/8thinches, about half of what it is today. The jointer to the other stone; and by that means a lad of 12 or 14 would smooth the mortar, leaving a concave depression below years of age is enabled to point about 16,000 pins an hour the surface of the brick. Up close, this was a nice aesthetic (4. 4 pins per second!). When the wire is thus pointed, a touch. Compared to that used today, lime mortar took much portion is taken off from each end, and this is repeated longer to set up. until it is cut into six pieces." The author then goes on to describe how the heads of the pins are made, "... they are delivered to children, who sit with their anvils and hammers before them, which they work with their feet ... " This book was writtenM-WTCA.ORG to show children the range of occupations open to them. It must not have been too encouraging to see what was in store for those in this trade. References: The Book of Trades, or Library of the Useful Arts. Part Ill. Published by Benjamin Tabart, London. 1804, printed in the United States in 1807. [reprinted by Dover, 1992] A brick jointer.

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 31 Proud of One's Craft

By Larry Cebeo

have seen many collages of tools de­ picting the crafts of the past on early !tombstones, friezes and trade signs. The thought that makes me feel emo­ tional is the fell owing: The tombstones that are so decorated had to be executed by the family of the deceased and skillfully performed by a stone carver or artist. This proud doorknocker was crafted by a living tradesman (a farrier). It is quite stimulating to witness a trades­ man so proud of his craft that he places his mark on his own front door. This door knocker was located in a shop in England this past year. I am very happy to share this wonderful find with fellow tool collectors.

Two NEW BOOKS ON RULES BY PHILIP STANLEY!!!

"A SOURCE BOOK FOR RULE COLLECTORS11

"A RULE CONCORDANCE AND VALUE GUIDE"

INDISPENSABLE REFERENCES FOR ALL TOOL COLLECTORS AND DEALERS A 300 page reference book on every aspect of linear measuring M-WTCA.ORGinstruments, covering types, uses, features and accessories, with many illustrations and a large bibliography ... PLUS a comprehensive 65 page price guide for the 9 major American rule makers. If you have only two books on rules, these are the two books to have! SOURCE B OOK: 8½ x 11 inches, 296 pages, softbound VALVE GUIDE: 6 x 9 inches, 65 pages, softbound Published in April, 2004 by the Astragal Press, and available from either the Author or the publisher for $45.00 (plus $5.00 shipping) for the pair.

Pltilip STANLEY J6 STOckTON STREET, #2 WoRCESTER MA 01610.-2141 Tool displays are a big part of national and (~08) n4.-6~n [email protected] local meetings. Calf weaning tools were shown by Robert Rauhauser at a recent meet.

The GRISTMILL• June 2004 • 32 '1- 0 0

M-WTCA.ORG

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 33 Building a Replica of an 11th Century Viking Drakkar: The Dragon Ship

Figure 1 The Viking Dakkar, or dragon ship.

BxJeboWeHs conventional craft, might have been con­ Denmark, found a piece of the keelson of sidered dangerously unmanageable by an ancient ship. In 1956, sports divers traditional shipbuilders. As it turned out recovered another piece of ship framing e Viking Drakkar, or longship, was their long water line made them very fast in that same location, which led marine trong yet supple. It would bend and and their shallow draft made them excep­ archeologists to begin further exploration. t twist under the forces of the sea but tionally maneuverable. The double-ended It was thought that several Viking ships would not break under its crushing force, design allowed them to reverse direction had been scuttled in that area between it rode high in the water and could navi­ without turning around, which was a big 1070 and 1140 AD to protect Roskilde, gate the shallowest rivers, it was swift advantage in narrow waterways and when which was then the capital of Denmark, under both oar and sail, and yet it was leaving a plundered site in haste. from naval attack by enemy ships. light enough to be carried ashore. It was a dream that took almost a millennium to The gracefully turned up bow post Between 1957 and 1962, the marine achieve (Figure 1) . and stem posts, often decorated with archeologists succeeded in salvaging the carved dragons heads, were both beauti­ •remains of five Viking ships. They include The design was developed slowly ful and fearsome. A Drakkar propelled small trading ships, larger ships used for over hundreds of years by highly skilled toward shore at top speed by 60 men transoceanic transport, and longships, and perceptive Scandinavian shipbuilders. pulling on 30 sets of oars, and carrying of the Drakkar class, used for raiding Its lineage dates back to Stone Age dug­ 80 ruthless Viking warriors brandishing and naval battles. The remains, which out canoes, evolved into ironM-WTCA.ORG age double shields and swords was a fearsome sight. are referred to as Skuldelev I through end canoes with high turned up beaks at It's no wonder they were called Dragon 6, have been painstakingly preserved both ends, and finally culminated in the Ships. and studied and are now housed in the amazingly sophisticated craft perfected Viking Ship Museum built for that pur­ during the Viking Age between 800 and Now, almost 1,000years later, we are pose in Roskilde, Denmark, about 20 1100 AD. The technical superiority of still intrigued by the amazing perfection miles from Copenhagen. the Viking Drakkar made the Vikings in ship design achieved by II th century the dominant European sea power of Scandinavian shipbuilders. Marine arche­ Over the past several years, the mu­ their time. They had created the perfect ologists are eager to discover their secrets seum has constructed full size replicas vessel for their needs. The Viking Drakkar and test their performance. of several of the smaller ships including was a superb raiding machine. the small longship. In the process they In 1924, fishermen attempting to learned a lot about how the ships were Their unusually long slender shape, deepen the passage in the narrowest built and how they perform. Excellent a length to breadth ratio of 8 to 1 or more part of the Roskilde fiord near Skuldelev, compared to the norm of 6 or 5 to 1 for a The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 34 performance of the small longship under the crew worked, ate and slept above If you are in Denmark, a side trip to both oar and sail has convinced them of deck. Crew members stored their gear the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde is the importance of taking on the very ambi­ and provisions in wood chests that also well worthwhile. It's a half hour trip from tious project of building the largest replica served as benches for rowing. When it Copenhagen by train. The restaurant at of a longship attempted to date. rained, they slept under the sail, if it the museum serves a very nice lunch. Financed by a grant from the Tuborg wasn't in use. Foundation and Carlsberg' s Memorial All work on the replica of Skuldelev Bequest, both part of the Danish Brew­ 2 is being done outdoors at the Viking ing group, they began building a replica Ship Museum boatyard so visitors to the of Skuldelev 2 in 1999. It is 96 feet long, museum have the opportunity has a beam of 12 feet and a height amid­ to see the work in progress ship of almost 6 feet. and ask questions about its Examination of growth rings (dendro­ construction. Fig.3 chronological dating) in sections cut from All materials and meth­ the end grain of recovered timbers has ods are as authentic as established that Skuldelev 2 was built in possible. Work is performed 1042 AD in Dublin, Ireland. using replicas of Viking tools Like most Viking ships Skuldelev 2 of appropriate vintage. All of was clinker-built (Figure 2). The planks, the timber has been selected called strakes, were overlapped at the to match, as closely as pos­ seam, fastened to each other with iron sible, the material used for rivets passed through iron washers and the original ship. Even the drawn tight by hammering. The joints tar, used to preserve the were caulked with animal fur and tar to wood and caulk the joints, make them watertight. was specially prepared in Finland from resinous pine The strakes on Skuldelev 2 are oak, trees. only 3/4 inches thick, and from 9 1/2 to 10 1/2 inches wide. All of the strakes were The square sail, which cleaved, as radial sections, from straight has an area of 144 square grained oak logs and hewn to shape with yards, is being made from axes. This produces vertical grain planks hand spun and woven wool to use for strakes, which are stronger and and flax. All of the rope for more elastic than sawn planks. It took 14 running rigging will be made large oak trees to provide the 90 strakes from linden fibers, and the required for the replica of Skuldelev 2. rope for the sheets from horsehair. The strakes run from bow post to stem post, changing width as required They plan to launch the Figure 3 Building a replica of Skuldelev 2 to follow the shape of the hull. They replica of Skuldelev 2 in Au­ gust of 2004. After it is fitted terminate at each end of the ship in "V" out, and a crew is trained they r------, shaped grooves on each side of the bow post and stem post. plan to sail it to Dublin with a full crew of 80 men aboard. A full length "T" shaped oak keel, On the trip they hope to test reinforced by a keelson aboveM-WTCA.ORG it, running its sea worthiness, speed and between the bow post and stem post, is maneuverability in the open the backbone of the ship. The keelson is sea and in coastal waters. thickened amidship where it supports They will also see how the the mast. The keelson for the replica of crew adapts to the available Skuldelev 2 was hewn from a 60-foot-long accommodations. If they oak log. Snelles, bridging over the top of make the trip as planned, I the keelson, clamp the cross frames and hope we see a documentary strakes to the keelson. Half frames, be­ of it on PBS television. tween the frames, run from the fourth to the eighth strake. Stringers on top of the frames support the deck planking. Figure 2 Detail of construction of Skuldelev 2 Although deck planking is removable,

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 35 Alabama Baker, Sam Jena Midkiff, Andrew Durham Underwood, William Notasulga Williams, Mike R Bastrop Ohio Alaska Maryland Belanger, Paul Madison Rupple, Paul Anchorage Hale, Buddy Sunderland Drinkwater, Del Millbury California Henry, Ralph Hampstead Drollinger, Bruce Akron Mulcahy, David San Diego Morris, Thomas White Hall Klopp, Richard Graytown Colorado Weichbrod, Michael Rockville Kohlenberg, Lyle Fremont Haas, Larry E. Grand Junction Massachusetts McKinney, Philip Albany Wolff, Paul Evergreen Schoelzer, Dylan Sherburn Falls Schaaf, Israel D. Mount Vernon Connecticut Michigan Schwarz, Geroge B. Lyndhurst Brennecke, Michael R Westport Fyie, Vincent Port Sanilac Shellhouse, Richard W. Shelby Delaware Knox, Thomas R Haslett Thompson, Dick Kinsman Wyatt, Charles E. Townsend Prikopa, Chuck Warren Ontario Florida Minnesota Knebel, Ben Cambridge Blanenette, L. Pete LaBelle Bagge, Sean Inver Grove Hght Pennsylvania Coss, Paul Winter Haven Baumann, Philip Moorhead D'Ercole, Daniel Red Lion Jones, Damon Sarasota Beal, John Excelsior Drayer, David Bangor Georgia Chilcote, Dennis Minneapolis Nornhold Jr., Richard Watsontown Bell , Jack Duluth Flugum , Timothy L. Golden Valley Romani, Jim Philadelphia Bledsoe, Nick Jefferson Frank, Al Edina Swartz, Dalone L. Glen Rock Dominici , David Grovetown Hakala, Keith Minnetonka Quebec Hird, Douglas M. Alpharetta Havlik, Dave Wayzata Milette, Andre Point-du-lac Keller, Steve Duluth Kempkes, John Hastings South Carolina King, Arthur David Ty Ty May, William J. Winthrop McCarthy II , Robert C. Columbia Reed , James Marietta Miller, Gary Welch South Dakota Sirmans, John Macon Netko, Dan Big Lake Goeden, Dave J. Madison Williams, Tom E. Decatur Powell, Mark Edina Tennessee Illinois Wimsatt, Tom Arden Hills Harold, Monte R Norris Carroll, Pat Chicago Zinsli , Jeff Chanhassen Utah Flesch , Phil ip Elmhurst Missouri Venable, Thomas R Draper Garlich , Michael Naperville Bollinger, Guy Ellisville Virginia Horn , Karl Linden wood Dunlap, Raymond Viburnum Davis, Thomas Spotsylvania Laurent, Paul Round Lake Garner, James Bloomfield Padgett, Melvin Vinton Martin, Russell Chicago Hatch , Jerry Springfield Wisconsin Nolan , James C. Galva Kaser, Jerry Bethel Beverly, William Adell Indiana M-WTCA.ORGRobertson, Cecil O'Fallon Charnon, David Milwaukee Benson, Raymond Camby Wilson , Bob Saint James Elbe, Gene Waukesha Johnson, Larry J. Bloomington New York Kulig, Fred Whitehall Lineback, Steve Indianapolis Gramm , John Campbell Hall Lampman, Garold L. Wisconsin Rapids Paul , Charles North Vernon Hawkins, Dolores M. Otisville Lange, Norman A. Rubicon Schickel Sr., David L. Floyds Knobs Monahan, Terry Little Falls MacDonald, Bryan Madison Iowa Von Sneidern, Erik Baldwinsville Witt, Clint Sheboygan Falls Johnson, Lawrence Ames North Carolina Zink, Dennis Markesan Waltz, Brad Creston Beatty Jr., Paul A. Maiden Kentucky Collins, Timothy A. Cary Shields, Jeffery W. Danville Larrick, Robert D. Clayton Louisiana Martin, Jeffrey Morganton

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 36 THE TOOL SHOP INTERNATIONAL AUCTION

FRIDAY, 30th JULY 2004 at The Cedars Hotel, Stowmarket, Suffolk, ENGLAND

Tony Morland announces an outstanding International Sale of Antique and Useable Woodworking Tools; to include our usual unbeatable selection of planes by NORRIS, SPIERS, MATHIESON, PRESTON etc., featuring a 24112" NORRIS Al, a rare Type 1 round bun MATHIESON mitre plane, a NORRIS A22 shoulder plane, a horn Ultimatum, PILKINGTON braces, ivory bowdrill, a selection of tools by HOLTZAPFFEL, rare rules, conceivably the best selection of complex moulding planes we have offered in recent auctions, decorated levels etc., a fantastic 'Tools are Art' Section, also featuring a unique Collection of salesman's sample miniature iron and brass Victorian fireplaces ...... don't miss the opportunity to bid - please do order your catalogue now.

For fully illustratedM-WTCA.ORG & indexed colour catalogue please send cheque for US$35, or credit card details to the address below, or you may contact Martin J Donnelly (tel.607 566 2617 or email [email protected]) TOOL SHOP AUCTIONS, 78 HIGH STREET, NEEDHAM MARKET, SUFFOLK, IP6 SAW, ENGLAND Tel: 011-44-1449-722992 FAX: 011-44-1449-722683 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.antiquetools.co.uk 10% Buyers Premium Not Solds 4.00 QUALITY CONSIGNMENT ALWAYS WELCOME - DO CONTACT US FOR DETAILS

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The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 3 7 We gleaned a lot of information from the book "Wisconsin Cranberry Growers," a Centennial Heritage book. We also in­ terviewed a lot of elderly people in our area about the cranberry marshes. We have both attended the Warrens, WI, Cranberry Festival a couple of times, and we both love cranberries and wanted to share information with others. Now, I am sharing this information with you through posters, booklets and pages of cranberry information. My dis­ play shows numerous cranberry-related artifacts, including an old cranberry scoop used in hand harvesting, old boxes that were used to hold cranberries (one from the Stanley marsh near our area), and an old bug/insect sprayer that held a mixture of things including Paris Green to kill the pests. Harriot Baker presented a program on buttons for the Auxiliary at Bowling Green. The cranberry glass vase represents the symbol of elegance on the American dinner table. Cranberry glass and cran­ Auxiliary Program All Buttoned Up berries were both a bit on the costly side in the mid-19th century. It was said of 11,([arriot Baker presented an interesting for five years but had her mother's and cranberries in 1859 "... there are those tftlprogram at the Auxiliary meeting in grandmother's button boxes to help get who are willing to pay an almost fabulous Bowling Green on antique buttons from started. It is said that buttons were sewn price for the berry... it is the rage among the period 1830 - 1890. on soldier's sleeves to prevent them from the rich." You may remember cranberries wiping their nose on the sleeve. as the bowl of ruby-red jewels on your She displayed and talked about but­ Thanksgiving dinner table, or strung with tons made from pearl, ivory, papier ma­ Harriot gave members a tip. If you popcorn on your Christmas tree. che', black glass, jewels, cut steel and want to attach buttons to cards for dis­ Victorian celluloid. The picture buttons playing, you should use telephone wire. Cranberries aren't just for holidays of George Washington were exceptionally Buttons are nice to collect because they anymore; you may have them 365 days interesting. don't take up much space. a year in many different products. Yes. I love cranberries. I hope you do too. The She said she has only been collecting display won the Most Educational award at Bowling Green. Crazy 'bout Cranberries

AUXBUAIY OfftiC!IS By Rita Zamzow Thanks for the Memories

President Arlene Fritchen ast September, a friend and I presented Bx Joex §Urn°ce Vice President Susan WitzelM-WTCA.ORG IL=an informational program on Craving Secretary Helen Devitt Cranberries to our Green Lake County This display was a natural when I spot­ Treasurer Barb Slasinski H.C.E. (Home and Community Educa­ ti ted this charming tablecloth in a fabric tion) organization. store. How much fun to take a peek at where the meetings had been for the last All material for The Women's Auxiliary We shared a video, gave a talk on 20 years. It brings a smile to your face Pages should be sent to THE GRIST­ cranberries, made many recipes with when you think of the happy memories we cranberries for our "taste and tell," and MILL editor: all take home from the meetings. Mary Lou Stover prepared a small booklet on the history of cranberries in our area. As we found out, S76 W19954 Prospect Drive The location of the meeting is always the first cranberry marshes in Wisconsin fun to add to your list of places visited. Muskego, WI 53150 were in Berlin, WI, (near our own home Many of the communities we visit with the area). M-WTCA we might not have stayed in but after a meeting we have a better under-

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 38 standing. History of each area is always a fun part of the visit. The activities planned by the committee appeal to different likes and interests. This gives us a chance to explore new experiences as well as visit familiar areas. The people at the meetings are always the best and even though you only see them maybe twice a year, it is still a very happy memory. This display thanks everyone who has taken part as well as the people who have done the hard work to make these meetings such Happy Memories. Thanks for the memories to the aux­ iliary of the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association. The display won the Most Creative award at Bowling Green. Cranberries were the focus of Rita Zamzow's display at Bowling Green, which was named Most Educational.

A Legacy Of Books

Bx Kathleen Holmes

here have always been books in my l~life.As a country kid, I frequented the Hudson Public Library, taking home an armful of books for the week. Evidently, from the number of books kept over the years by the Holmes fam­ ily, they also had a love of books. As the houses were cleaned out after a death in the family, many of books were kept and treasured. The display of books began with a book from the mid-1800s that was owned by my husband Cecil's great-great-grand­ father. Each generation to the present was Joey Gilmore's award-winning display at Bowling Green featured a tablecloth map of the represented by a book. The book was a United States. representative of the kinds of books hon­ ored by the family. Dad's Final Gift M-WTCA.ORGMany were poetry; some were folk My doll never had booties. I had told tales; some were Bible tales; some were ByJoap Bupp my neighbor lady I was taking my doll for just purely fantasy, but each was special a display so while I was at the convention to the owner. she knit her a pair of pink booties. "Sing­ [always knew there was a picture of me The pictures of the Holmes men are ) ing Doll" is now back in my drawer face ~and my favorite doll and buggy. those of keen readers. My children and down with warm feet. grandchildren and their children have kept I have always kept "Singing Doll" in The display won Most Nostalgic at the legacy alive. a drawer face down, but do not have the Bowling Green. buggy or recall where it went. I received The awards committee at Bowling­ it on Christmas 1939. This was the last A photograph of the display appears Green named the display Most Well Read. Christmas with my dad healthy. on the following page. A photograph of hte display appears on the following page.

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 39 Judges Stick Notorious Tag on Porcupine Display This display by Kathleen Holmes was named Most Well Read at Bowling Green.

Bx Pell Edwards ft41Y display came about because my l~tlfriend and I picked up a road kill porcupine on our way to the Green Bay, WI, convention. I made the mistake of sharing this with the ladies at Show 'N Tell. Everyone was anxious to see the Christmas tree or­ naments I said I was going to make from the quills. The bad part was that the quills we got weren't useable so I had to go find a new road kill. I made the ornaments and hung them on a little tree. To complete the display I found books on Porcupining, Mr. Fine Porcupine and a newspaper called The Porcupine Press. I didn't let the ladies .. ' down! The judges labeled my display the Afavorite childhood doll was at the center of Joan Bunn's display, "Dad's Final Gift." Most Notorious.

An unusual "Most Notori­ ous" award was stuck on this display by Dell Edwards at the Bowling Green meet. The exhibit featured a road kill porcupine. M-WTCA.ORG

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 40 MYSTERY TOOLS AND GADGETS

nickel plating suggests that it is used for I hope to be back finding old tools culinary or medicinal purposes. shortly. So, if you have any perplexing tool with a big question mark on it, get Several other Whats-Its got mis­ in touch. placed as I had to stay most of the past month in a nursing home while my wife 0.M. Ramsey had still another open heart surgery. I also 81114-lA Bridgeway Cir. was coping with two deaths in the close Ft. Wayne, IN 46816 Ramsey family. (260) 447-2099

Gristmill Editor Stover Retires

ristmill editor Mary Lou Stover will Best of the Gristmill," a selection of ar­ l\ tr retire after the September issue, and ticles from the first 25 years of the Grist­ €i~Dave Heckel will replace her. mill. He has written for the Gristmill and Fine Tool J oumal and is a member of the After overseeing the publication for Special Publications Committee. Heckel the past ten years and five years previ­ Item 61 is a past president, is an Area E director ously, Stover is seeking more time to and has served on a number of commit­ travel and enjoy other interests. That Item 6F This tool brought forth one tees. Both Heckel and Stover have hosted does not mean she is leaving M-WTCA area and national meetings. response: a welder's chipping hammer or the friends she has made in the orga­ to break away slag from an electric weld nization. She will continue to work for the Send articles and photos for the so another pass can be made to make a good of Mid-West. She has been an active September issue to Mary Lou Stover, stronger weld. M-WTCA member for 2 7 years, an Area B S76 W19954 Prospect Dr., Muskego, WI I've been involved with foundaries director and recipient of the Marion Hen­ 53150, email [email protected] The that use a similar hammer to break away ley Award. She serves on the Executive, copy deadline is July 15. metallic flash from the castings. This tool Marion Henley Award and Preservation & Education committees. Submissions for the December issue also lends itself to the masonry trades should be sent to Dave Heckel, 1800 Mc­ to clean off old mortar or to feather con­ Heckel comes with strong creden­ Comb, Charleston, IL 61920, phone (217) crete such as in a doorway so that small tials. His third book, the second edition on 345-9112, email [email protected] diameter wheels can easily pass over a Sargent planes, has just been published. rough spot. These hammers came with a He also authored the first edition of the Continue to send classified and straight blade or cross blade and are usu­ reference book and one on Stanley 45 display ads to Paul Gorham, advertising ally field modified on a grinder to adapt combination planes. He compiled "The director. July 10 is the ad deadline. to a specific use. Item 6H I saw this tool in a friend's saw shop years ago but didn't recognize BACliAIUt it instantly from the photo. The tool mounts onto a special belt sander that uses an emery belt. A dull circular saw Seed Stripper Display Sure Brought Back Memories blade is centered under the centering cone. Moving the handle M-WTCA.ORGforward toward he display photos from the Bowling the slots in the tool are very narrow to the emery belt sharpens the blade much JGreen meeting were nice contributions retain them. I fear clover stems would be faster than a file would. The blade has to to the March, 2004 GRISTMILL. too thick to slide through the grooves. be loosened to advance to the next tooth and must be reversed in order to get the I was drawn to the "grain stripper" or By the 1930s, there were mechani­ right bevel on alternate teeth. Glaziers "clover harvester" photo on page 5. It is cal harvesters, but they couldn't work use a similar belted tool to grind the edges fascinating that a Maryland member would close to fences or in the comers of fields. of mirrors, etc. bring a Kentucky tool to Kentucky. In my Youngsters would take grandpa's hand youth, in central Kentucky in the 1930s, stripper and earn a little money "working Item 61 I ran across this gadget in I used this tool for its intended purpose: the comers." I did it! A very interesting the pages of Antique Week. The nickel­ stripping bluegrass seed from the tall slen­ set of displays. plated box has preforated ends. The bot­ der stems. I have handled a couple of these tom has a concave surface 10-inches long. actually labeled KY BLUEGRASS SEED KB.Johns Boone, NC Also the handle pivots on its shaft. The STRIPPER. Bluegrass seeds are tiny, so

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 41 Ipswich Suffolk IP2 9PD Classic UK Tools Announcing a refreshingly new antique tool website. Worldwide delivery On-line tool auctions Classic Tools for the collector and craftsman Realise the value of your antique tools in our on-line auctions Consignment sales undertaken Tel Alex or Thierry +44 7771 80 26 73 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Join our mailing list www.classictools.com Buv, SELL, BARGAIN WANTED

Wanted: Tools of any sort made by the Sandusky Tool Co. I don 't have them all yet! Also, catalogs, advertising and related material. John Walkowiak, 3452 Humboldt Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55408 (612) Always buying Always Selling A-1 LEVEL REPAIR 824-0785 Jwalkowjak@mn u com Most brands repaired and restored Pete Niederberger Wanted: Winchester items, tools, sporting goods or Used and Antique Tools and Bob and Diane Skogman 18639 - 327th Ave. advertising. No firearms. Collections or pieces OK. Parts for Same Isle, MN 56342-4784 Please advise price and condition. David McDonald, Mail Order Call Me and Phone: 1-320-684-2078 E-mail: a1level @mlec2.net 14211 Kellywood Lane, Houston, TX 77079 (281) Come to the Shop Website: www.a 1 levelrepair.com 558-5236 undermc@gateway net 415-924-8403 pniederber@aoLcom "WE'RE ON THE LEVEL!" Wanted: Stanley boxwood rules in metric; folding and non-folding. Bill Youart, 175 Williams Rd ., Stephens­ port KY 40170 phone (270) 547-4692 Wanted: Wood planes with trademark shown below. Please contact: Jack Howe, 708 Trojan Rd., Auburn, IL 62615. (217) 438-3776. email: [email protected]

Wanted: Loose haying tools, haymow forks, hay track carriers, rafter grapples, hay knives, pulleys, rope hooks, Mfrs. catalogs, advertisements. Also, iron, corn shellers. Robert Rauhauser, Thomasville, PA 17364-0324 FOR SALE

For Sale: Steam Whistle Patents book. 216 U.S. patents a dealer ttt DEALER for whistles, valves, sirens, horns and more. $35 includes order, contact: QUERIES shipping. Bruce Cynar, 10023 St. Clair's Retreat, Fort INVITED Wayne IN 46825 PayPal at Oldtchnlgy@msn com For sale: W.F. &J. Barnes Co. machinist 10-inch drill press. Box 8715 / Sugar Creek, MO 64054 / (816) 252-9512 Set up for overhead belt power. Patent dates on frame, ramer ltkramerize.com /www .krame ize.com Sept 23 89 90 Paul Reichart (417) 831-1425 16-PAGE BOOK Of' IN~TRVCTTONS & USES 1'RI.':I~ WfflI PP!

The GRISTMILL • June 2004 • 43 Brown Auction Services presents The 25th International Antique Tool Sale & Auction SHERATON INN OCTOBER 22 & 23, 2004 HARRISBURG, PA

Brown 25 will be the sale that everyone remembers from 2004. The 25 will feature tools from the collec­ tions ofMartyl and Emil Pollak, Micky Holmes, Paul Kebabian, Rick Grossman plus selected highlights from a major mid-west collection that was over 30 years in the making. So don't miss out, order your catalog today.

Only $28.00 (U.S. and Canada). Overseas $34.00US

Or order both 2004 Brown catalogs now and save. The April catalog will mail now with the prices real­ ized and the October issue will mail in September.

Just $50.00 (U.S. and Canada). Overseas $60.00US

Please send __ Catalog(s) for the 25th International Antique Tool Auction on October 23, 2004. $28.00 US & CANADA. $34.00 US for Overseas Airmail. Includes Prices Realized. Please send __ sets of both 2004 catalogs. $50 US & CANADA. $60 US for Overseas Airmail. Includes Prices Realized.

Visa/Mastercard No. ______Exp. Date: ______

Phone: ______Signature: ______Name: Address:------City: ______State: __ Zip: ______

BrownM-WTCA.ORG Auctions No Fuzzy Numbers. No Hype. No Spin. 27 Fickett Road Just a Solid Maine Business Doing Pownal, ME 04069 Business the Old-Fashioned Way with 1 (800) 248-8114 Fax 1 (207) 688-4831 Service, Quality, and Integrity.

Thinking of selling part or all of your collection? We still have room for consign­ ments in the October sale and 2005 sales. Do not be fooled by impostors. Give us a call before you commit. It does not cost more to go with the best.

Order your catalog or view items online at www.FineToolJ.com/Browns