Books by Antique Tools

The John S. Fray & Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut built an early reputation and brace building success upon the initial patent of Nelson Spofford who s first patent was for a type of split chuck, often termed a clamshell chuck. John Fray apparently began manufacturing Spofford braces in partnership with a gentleman named Horace Pigg. Early braces are marked, Fray & Pigg Manrs / Bridgeport, Conn and Spofford s Pat / Nov 1, 1859. Stanley continued to produce braces using this design until at least 1942. Subsequent braces are marked only John S. Fray & Co / Bridgeport, Conn. USA. This fully illustrated catalog includes braces, hand drills, breast drills, extension bit holders, hollow handle tool sets, pin vises, chucks, and more!

Bridgeport Hardware Manufacturing Corporation was founded in 1895 by Willis F. Hobbs in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The tools were frequently marked with the company''s initials BHM, sometimes in a stylized BHM-Logo. They also used a number of unregistered brands for its products, including Matchless, Hy-bar, Sure Grip , Radio-Lectric. In the early 1960''s Bridgeport Hardware was acquired by Crescent Niagara. This fully illustrated catalog includes awls, box chisels, box openers, box scrapers, can openers, hammers, hatchets, ice picks, nail pullers, pliers, putty knives, saws, screwdrivers, tire tools, trowels, and more!