Malcolm Schweizer
01-23-2020, 10:12 PM
***This is not a gloat- posting this because it is something very interesting and worth sharing. I feel like the torch was passed to me and I must carry it on.
I recently went to buy a few power tools, and got to talking to the guy. He found out that I liked hand tools, so he said, “I have an old tool box full of old hand tools you might be interested in.” I have heard this a lot, and it usually ends up being a 1960’s box full of rusty Stanley stuff. He took me to the loft and I saw this wooden tool chest, and I knew right away this was something good. He opened it, and there were all the tools as they have been for over 150 years, and still looks like Mr. Fortune could use them today. I started to identify each tool and what it is used for, and the man got a tear in his eye. He is moving aboard a boat, and has no room to keep the box. It has been passed down through his family, and he wanted to see someone appreciate it.
He wanted to give me the chest, and I instead paid him, and said very clearly, “these tools are worth way more than this, but I will ensure they are kept together and I will respect them.” I think we were both equally happy.
I still have to go through all these and date them, but most planes seem to be mid to late 1800’s. The jointer is stamped “HL James, Williamsburg, Mass.”. HL James stopped making planes in 1869. I do know from my conversation with his great grandson that Mr. Fortune fought in the Battle of the Light Brigade, which occurred in 1854, so this seems about right as far as dates he would have been purchasing tools.
There are other tools that don’t fit the era. The current owner said his father also used the tools, and likely that is why there are tools from up to the mid-1900’s. The Diston D8 would be no older than 1880 (first year for the thumbhole), and I have not tried yet to date it. The keyhole saws look fairly modern, and of course the one chisel with a plastic handle is mid-1900’s. The moulding planes are from Alex Matheison and Son, Edinburgh, which would be mid 1800’s, as well as Ohio Tool, Phoenix Tool, and others. Many have no legible stamp. The fillister is from Auburn Tool Co., and has what appears to be two sets of irons.
There is a nice little backsaw from C.E. Jennings Co., likely late 1800’s.
There are two soldering irons and a lead ball, as well as a glass cutter. Many Moulding planes are beading planes, and some specialty planes that I believe all pertain to windows and trim work. It seems that was Mr. Fortune’s trade.
Sorry, this is all I have time for now. If you want to see something up close, I can oblige, but it may take a day or so to get to it. I laid as many as I could fit on the table, and took a few shots of the box and moulding planes.
424387 424388 424389 424392 424393
I recently went to buy a few power tools, and got to talking to the guy. He found out that I liked hand tools, so he said, “I have an old tool box full of old hand tools you might be interested in.” I have heard this a lot, and it usually ends up being a 1960’s box full of rusty Stanley stuff. He took me to the loft and I saw this wooden tool chest, and I knew right away this was something good. He opened it, and there were all the tools as they have been for over 150 years, and still looks like Mr. Fortune could use them today. I started to identify each tool and what it is used for, and the man got a tear in his eye. He is moving aboard a boat, and has no room to keep the box. It has been passed down through his family, and he wanted to see someone appreciate it.
He wanted to give me the chest, and I instead paid him, and said very clearly, “these tools are worth way more than this, but I will ensure they are kept together and I will respect them.” I think we were both equally happy.
I still have to go through all these and date them, but most planes seem to be mid to late 1800’s. The jointer is stamped “HL James, Williamsburg, Mass.”. HL James stopped making planes in 1869. I do know from my conversation with his great grandson that Mr. Fortune fought in the Battle of the Light Brigade, which occurred in 1854, so this seems about right as far as dates he would have been purchasing tools.
There are other tools that don’t fit the era. The current owner said his father also used the tools, and likely that is why there are tools from up to the mid-1900’s. The Diston D8 would be no older than 1880 (first year for the thumbhole), and I have not tried yet to date it. The keyhole saws look fairly modern, and of course the one chisel with a plastic handle is mid-1900’s. The moulding planes are from Alex Matheison and Son, Edinburgh, which would be mid 1800’s, as well as Ohio Tool, Phoenix Tool, and others. Many have no legible stamp. The fillister is from Auburn Tool Co., and has what appears to be two sets of irons.
There is a nice little backsaw from C.E. Jennings Co., likely late 1800’s.
There are two soldering irons and a lead ball, as well as a glass cutter. Many Moulding planes are beading planes, and some specialty planes that I believe all pertain to windows and trim work. It seems that was Mr. Fortune’s trade.
Sorry, this is all I have time for now. If you want to see something up close, I can oblige, but it may take a day or so to get to it. I laid as many as I could fit on the table, and took a few shots of the box and moulding planes.
424387 424388 424389 424392 424393