Images(4)

The Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund, 2007.4.2 © 2009 The Connecticut Historical Society.

Clock Repair Tool Box

Original OwnerOriginally owned by Albert G. Walker American, 1836 - 1902

MakerBox possibly made by Albert G. Walker American, 1836 - 1902

ManufacturerOne piece of hardware manufactured by Curtisville Mfg. Co. American, 1848 - 1950

ManufacturerOne tool manufactured by Brown & Sharpe American

ManufacturerOne tool manufactured by S. P. Kittle American

ManufacturerOne tool manufactured by J. P. Wilson American

ManufacturerMetal box manufactured by Bell & Black English

Date1850-1900

MediumBox: Wooden box, painted black, with metal hardware. Tools: Metal, some steel, some with wooden handles. Hardware: Metal, wood, string, glass.

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions: 6 3/8 x 14 7/16 x 10 1/2in. (16.2 x 36.7 x 26.7cm)

ClassificationsTools

Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund

DescriptionBlack-painted wooden tool box filled with an assortment of clock repair tools, such as cutting and drilling tools; metal and wooden clock parts; hardware; and other assorted items.

A removable top section devides the interior of the box into two levels. The removable section is partitioned into six subsections; the largest and smallest of these sections have no lid, but each of the other sections do have a wooden lid Two of these lids have a small wire loop handle. Beneath the lid of the section in the upper left corner, that section is partitioned again, with another shallow lidded section inside.

The exterior of the tool box has a metal carrying handle with a wooden grip. An oval of metal is secured to the center of the top of the box; each end of the metal handle attaches in a slot on either side of the oval. The top of the tool box is attached by two hinges at the back side of the box. The front of the box has a crest-shaped metal keyhole at center front. To either side of the keyhole, an ornate metal latch on the lid of the box attaches to a flat latch plate secured to the main body of the box; the latches can pivot upward on hinges.

Object number2007.4.2

MarkingsSeveral of the tools and pieces of hardware inside the tool box are marked. A selection of these items include:

Stamped on one side of a long metal tool with a wooden handle is, "WALKER".

A flat square of metal is stamped, "CURTISVILLE/ MFG. CO./ GLASTONBURY/ CONN."

A rectangular tool with two pointed edges is stamped, "J.P. WILSON/ ILION N-Y/ PATENT APPLIED FOR".

A tool shaped somewhat like a bottle opener is stamped, "S.P.KITTLE/ PATENT/ BUFFALO,N.Y./ 1853".

A thin, pointed file is stamped, "WARRANTED/ CAST STEEL".

A metal box has stamps on all four sides: "BELL & BLACK PATENTEES" stamped in a circle around illegible writing and a date, either "1854" or "1864"; "BELL & BLACK/ 18 BOW LANE/ CHEAPSIDE/ LONDON" on two sides; and "NEW PATENT/ GAS CAMPHORATED/ CONCREVE LIGHTS/ WITHOUT SULPHUR".

A gauge with knotches of graduated widths cut out of the edge is stamped with numbers to correspond to the widths. Toward the center of the top of the disc, it is stamped, "[W.R.?] BROWN & SHARPE/ PROVIDENCE, R.I." Toward the center of the bottom, the disc is stamped, "STANDARD/ WIRE GAUGE".