March 27th…

Both patented on March 27th, 1860…today we shall raise a glass to M.L. Byrn and Philos Blake!

Noyes Patent Variant

Written by our good friend, Bob “The Toolman” Roger:

NOYES’ Patents

Updated 3/21/23

H. W. Noyes was issued patent 793318 on June 27, 1905 for a ‘waiters-style’ corkscrew. He added some improvements to it as patent 824807 on July 3, 1906. He also had a later patent for a different style (898387) of corkscrew.

In his two earlier patents his idea was that by pushing down on the ‘neck stand’ the worm was also opened, and his two patents included three different versions of neck-stand. Most examples of his patents are marked with the Green River brand of whiskey. The common version has a worm with 2 ½ turns, and the pivoted end of the shank is round with cupped inside surfaces of the handle to accommodate the shank. 

Figure 1 shows two examples of Noyes’ patents, an uncommon version and the common version. In the uncommon version, the worm has 3 ½ turns, yet its overall length is the same as in the common version. The pivot end of its shank is flattened and the insides of the accommodating handle are also flat. The collar on the upper shank is also much less pronounced compared to the common version. Both his 1905 and 1906 patents have the ends of the handle cupped to accommodate and hold (snap in and out) the round end of the worm shank. 

What is different in this uncommon version, from both patents and the common version, is that the worm shank end is flattened, and the inside ends of the handle are also flat (not cupped). To achieve holding the worm in the open or closed position, Noyes has two holes in the worm shank – one above and one below the pivot hole. Then he shallowly stamps corresponding points of the handle ends from the outside, forming protrusions (nubs) on the inside. These four nubs (two in each of the handle ends) engage the two holes on the shank from each side, providing the ‘snap’ needed to hold the worm either open or closed. 

The outside of the neck stand on the common example is stamped with the Green River marks, and the inside is not marked. The uncommon version shows no evidence of any marks on the outside, but is stamped PAT JUNE 27 05 JULY 3 06 on the inside. 

It appears that after obtaining his second patent, Noyes experimented with a different method of securing the worm without having to cup the handle ends, and it was a more expensive design to manufacture so was not produced in quantity. This is the only example of this uncommon design that I am aware of.

Thanks for the contribution Bob! And, for those that are reading this. Check your Noyes-es! Do you have this variation?

Beckley’s Cork Extractor

From a 1915 issue of Popular Mechanics:

CORK EXTRACTOR (FIG. 9)—This extractor has a pointed shank, on one side of which is a slot.  Mounted in this slot is a pivoted bar which lies flush with the shank when it is being thrust into the cork but swings outward and engages the cork when the shank is pulled upward.

That would be Harry Beckley’s patent of 1915 (#1,149,112) for his Cork Extractor.

Beckley’s patent description reads:

The invention relates to cork extractors and the principal object of the invention is to provide a device of this character having a pivoted bridging bar which is slidably mounted upon the shank and so constructed that it will be automatically thrown to operative, engaging position as an attempt is made to withdraw the pin or shank from the cork.

If you have a spiked cork extractor that has “….a pivoted bridging bar which is slidably mounted upon the shank,” I would be interested

Bath Antiques Show

This morning, I hopped on the first ferry, and made my way to the mainland.

And, after a brief stop in Rockland, I made my way down to Bath, Maine for the monthly antique show. Well, technically it’s monthly until April, which is the last show, and then they start up again in the fall.

And, it isn’t a big show, but 40-45 dealers usually show up and one always has corkscrews, not great corkscrews, but good corkscrews. Another dealer shows up in Bath every once in a while, and he too always has corkscrews. Generally he has good corkscrews, but they are fairly pricey. Still, every once in a while we can strike a deal.

The first good corkscrew dealer WAS there, the other dealer that occassionally shows up WASN’T there. But, we will run into each other soon enough at Brimfield.

So, I meandered around, looking at each table / booth, and there were some interesting things to be had.

And, the good corkscrew dealer had a case filled with treasures…

And, as he explained, he had just a collection and half of them were still at his house…

After digging around, I came with a small pile.

The German corkscrew with odd spring, I have never owned before. And, I knew I needed to grab that. The small perfume piece, is always good trade bait, and underneath the owl is a metal Haff with a Clough worm with button.

In regards to the owl, it looks to be bronze rather than brass, and I have never seen this particular shape before.

And, well, how could I not pick up a “BUD” open with corkscrew.

No other corkscrews that I really HAD to have, but the aforementioned good corkscrew guy invited me to visit him at his home and see the rest of the corkscrews when was headed his way.

And, as luck would have it, next week I will be in his neighborhood.

Stay tuned!

“…serviceable in any household.”

From a 1905 issue of Irrigation Age (thanks to collector Robert Million)

AN ATTRACTIVE GIFT.

______

We are showing herewith an all around tool, which would be serviceable in any household.  By examination of the illustration it will be seen that this tool discloses twelve different combination, as follows :

Hatchet, hammer, wire cutter, wire splicer, pinchers, alligator wrench, leather punch, corkscrew, nail claw, hunter’s knife, can opener and screw driver ; all of which are convenient practical tools, ever ready at hand for immediate use in any emergency, in which event they are especially valuable.

The aggregation of twelve different tools as shown in illustration, if bought separately in any retail hardware store, would cost in the neighborhood of $7.00.  We

will be glad to furnish these tools to any of our readers for $3.50 prepaid, or we will send one of these tools, charges prepaid to our readers sending us a club of ten new subscribers to the Irrigation Age at $1.00.  It will be seen that by securing ten subscriptions to the Irrigation Age and remitting same to us that you may secure a combination of twelve tools which could not be purchased for less than $6.00 or $7.00.

We guarantee this tool to be of the best workmanship and will replace any that show defects.

If you have this Haynes-Bates combination tool. I am interested in acquiring one!

And, I will pay more than $3.50! And, more than the cost of 10 subscriptions to Irrigation Age!

“…but an apology as a cork withdrawing instrument…”

From a 1900 issue of The Atlanta Constitution:

Handy Cork Extractor

Despite its years of use, the corkscrew, as found in the average household, is still but an apology as a cork withdrawing instrument, as it is almost sure to ruin the cork and make it practically valueless, at least after extraction two or three times.  Then again, a corkscrews is not always at hand when most needed, while the little corkscrew substitute recently patented by Joseph R. Kennedy, of Camden, and illustrated herewith, is designed to come with every tightly sealed bottle.  As its cost is but trifling, there is nothing to prevent its adoption by bottlers on the score of economy.  It consists of a narrow strip of flexible tinplate, the ends of which are formed into claws by means of indentations made in the tin When the cork is driven home one of these tin stripes is bent in the form of a loop, one claw going on each side of the cork.  Now, when the cork is pushed into the neck of the bottle the tin strip is drawn in too, and the superfluous length of the tin forming the loop is bent down as to lie flat on top of the cork, the device being made of a very flexible material for that purpose, when a loop is formed into which the finger of any rigid article may be introduced.  

By pulling on this loop the strip is pulled out and in doing so the cork is extracted.  This device can be used over and over again, and its use does not mutilate the cork in anyway.  Perhaps the greatest objection to its use is that it might not produce an air-tight seal, although with suitable corks, properly put in this could be overcome.

It’s NEW! It’s Sanitary! It’s HANDY

From a 1929 issue of Christian Science Monitor:

Or 2 for 25 cents

It’s NEW!  It’s Sanitary!  It’s HANDY!

This wonderful new MILK CAP LIFTER does a Dozen Different Daily Duties: Cork Puller, Bottle Opener, Nut Pick, Fruit Seeder, and Crisco Can Opener, etc.  It will help you too.  Order YOURS TODAY!  Send money to

K-P PRODUCTS CO.

706 N. 8^th Street.   St. Joseph MO.

Okay… so, what does the “K-P” Kitchen Helper look like?

Do you have one?

Send me photos!

ANZAC

From a 1916 issue of The Export World and Commercial Intelligence:

THE LATEST AT HOME.

A New Corkscrew, Can and Crown Cork Opener.

Our illustration shows the latest combination produced by Coney’s, Ltd., So. Lionel Street, Birmingham, and is self-explanatory.  The new tool is named the “ Anzac “ because it “ gets there. “  In addition to the corkscrew there is a small tool by means of which crown corks can be removed by pressing down or lifting up—this being quite unique—and a tin opener.

New Patent Opener

The “ Anzac “ should secure a large measure of popularity by reason of its handiness.  Being of light weight, it is an ideal picnic companion.

Unseasonably Warm

It has been unseasonably warm the last few days.

Not that it is warm warm, but warmer than usual.

And, not that 40 degrees is actually warm, but it certainly is warmer than our recent artic blast that included wind chills at 30 below zero.

I am not complaining mind you. I appreciate the non-freezing temps, and the feeling of Spring soon to be upon us.

Not that Spring is really soon to be upon us, as a week from tomorrow, we are supposed to be back to 1 degree as the low, and no doubt lower than that with the wind chill.

That said, I look forward to things warming up, and the outdoor antiquing season to begin!

…thoroughly trustworthy and practical…

1914 issue of Hardware Age:

The “Handy-Man” Tool Kit

The American Novelty Company, Washington, D.C., is putting out the “Handy Man” tool kit, which is stated to be very compact and practical.  The company states that each tool in the “Handy-Man” kit is thoroughly trustworthy and practical, the whole outfit being desiged from the viewpoint of utility.  The entire set of tools is put up in a drawn-steel gun metal finished box, the size of which is 5 by 6 by 2 inches.

“Handy-Man” tool kit made by the American Novelty Company

Each tool is firmly held in place by steel snap springs and jackets, which prevent the tools from moving about and rattling.  It is stated that no matter in what position the kit is carried, or how much it is shaken, the tools with not become dislodged.  The set consists of fifteen high grade tools, in combination with an interchangeable handle, and the company states that every tool in this set is one which is brought into daily use. 

The illustration shows ten of these tools, the other five compactly nested in the handle itself.  The tools consist of a ball pein hammer, a Disston saw, an awl, a pair of Bernhard pliers and wire cutters, a gimlet, a tack puller, a chisel, a gouge chisel, a can opener, a corkscrew, a large screw driver, a small screw driver, a three-cornered file and a punch.  The American Novelty Company states that it will send a sample kit by parcel post, charges prepaid, at the regular whole-quantity price of $33 per dozen of $2.75 each.