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Post by artificer on Sept 15, 2019 9:08:10 GMT -7
Had you even heard there was such a thing as an 18th Century "C" Clamp?  Well, there was. I found the following photo when looking for something else on line. The photo description was not available to me as I'm not on Picinterest, but I think this is a collection of tools a gunsmith on another forum uses when traveling to events. Notice the two "C" clamps? The one on the left may be 18th century, but I think the one on the right is early 19th century. i.pinimg.com/236x/34/7c/82/347c829d109dfecce2d20551103be6d0.jpg OK, so the next question may be what were these "C" Clamps originally designed for? Actually, they are period Quilting Clamps and would have been used in quantities of 4, 8 or even more on larger quilting frames. Thought you all might find this interesting. Gus |
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Post by Sicilianhunter on Sept 15, 2019 9:25:49 GMT -7
Gus,
Can't get the link to open...
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Post by artificer on Sept 15, 2019 9:31:24 GMT -7
BTW, in case some folks are wondering, here is a description of the tools in that gunsmithing photo above.
At the top is of course a file and file handle.
Second row on each side of the C Clamps are portable Clamps/Vises that are correct for the 18th century, but used well into the 19th century. On the right is a Lancashire Pattern Hacksaw, which was used in the 18th century all the way up to at least the middle of the 20th century.
Third row. What looks like it may be a gang mold is actually a "thread former" for forming Iron Screws. Iron did not cut well as it sheared or tore, so most screws made of it were formed rather than cut. To the right and somewhat below is a Tumbler Mill which was used to cut the body of a Tumbler parallel and perpendicular to the shaft.
Below that are formers, though the photo is so small I can't identify what they were used for.
BTW, a GREAT Source for documenting 18th century tools is "A catalogue of tools for watch and clock makers / by John Wyke of Liverpool" and shows examples of some of the tools in the photo.
Gus
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Post by artificer on Sept 15, 2019 9:36:47 GMT -7
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Post by brokennock on Sept 15, 2019 9:45:51 GMT -7
Second link works fine. Thank you.
I will play devil's advocate here. If these tools are those of a modern reenactor, how do we know he isn't repurposing a period item in a non-period way? What is the provenance that these are 18th or early 19th century clamps at all?
Not challenging you, just throwing it out there for discussion.
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Post by artificer on Sept 15, 2019 10:23:09 GMT -7
brokennock,
Actually as I explained above, the owner is repurposing period tools because those C Clamps are most likely Quilting Frame Clamps, as I wrote earlier. Such quilting clamps were used in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Now as to documentation, online they may be listed in Diderot's Encyclopedia, but I'm not sure. I was able to document them from many books I have on period tools. I just don't remember which one I used.
Gus
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Post by Black Hand on Sept 15, 2019 13:21:39 GMT -7
I get an "access denied" message.
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990 
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Post by Keith on Sept 15, 2019 15:28:03 GMT -7
I have always called these G clamps.    These are known as sewing birds or sewing clamps. Sewing Birds & Sewing Clamps. The Monmouth Museum is home to one of North America's largest collections of 18th and 19th century sewing clamps also known as sewing birds. Sewing clamps were used in the 18th century to attach one end of a piece of cloth firmly to a table to enable a seamstress to hold her sewing taut with one hand while stitching with the other. Before the invention of the sewing machine clothing, sheets and other household items were sewn by hand. Early clamps can be traced to the late 17th century. The "sewing bird" came into fashion early in the 18th century. Invented in the Georgian period in England, it was the first device that allowed the material to be moved without having to loosen the clamp. Many were made for the travel trade and were used for advertisements. Most were made of polished and turned wood or iron. Victorian clamps were made of brass, iron, steel and painted wood. In America the first sewing birds were called "grippers." Not used widely until mid-19th century, they became popular as a luxury item, which a young man would present to his intended bride months before the wedding. These were made in many varieties; birds with or without a pin cushion, on a spindle or not, deer, dogs, fish, frogs, snakes, dolphins, cherubs and people. Small thread winders, spool holders, netting hooks and rug braiders were also common. After the invention of the sewing machine the need for grippers was diminished but they were still manufactured as novelties. The Singer Sewing Machine Company produced a few as late as 1980. The original inexpensive novelties of yesteryear are expensive antique collectibles today. This extensive collection was gathered by Eugenie Bijur on her travels with her husband, who was an antique collector, and willed to the Monmouth Museum. It is one of the most impressive collections in this country. ux.brookdalecc.edu/monmouthmuseum/sewingbird.htmlwoodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/2019/09/sewing-birds.htmlKeith. |
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990
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Post by Keith on Sept 15, 2019 15:33:39 GMT -7
Good image, love old tools. I collect what I can when I can. Keith. |
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Post by artificer on Sept 15, 2019 20:42:09 GMT -7
Keith, What I found fascinating from studying Wyke's Catalouge were two types of tools in particular. Common Black Box Joint Pliers are listed in many shapes and forms and many of them are still available. Since so many of these have been made over the years right up to the present day, it is not too difficult to find "period correct" pliers at flea markets, junque shops and other places. For those who don't know what Box Joint Pliers look like, here is an interesting video by Peter Ross, who was the Head Blacksmith at Colonial Williamsburg for many years. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPoFdNgQn4sThe other surprising tool was the Lancashire Pattern Hacksaw that was made well into the 3rd quarter of the 20th century at least. Here is an example that is probably from the first quarter or so of the 19th century, by the style of retaining nut, but these went back to the very early 18th century. These were used to saw metal and bone, so when one finds a rather fancy one, it was probably originally from a Surgeon's/Doctors kit. cf.collectorsweekly.com/stories/dfNZKdA-2aMzBb4eby3v7Q-small.jpgThe "problem" with using original ones is most were not made to fit modern length hack saw blades. Period merchants would buy a saw blade roll and one when bought a replacement blade, they just snapped off enough from the long roll to use in their saw. The blades were sold by the inch from the roll. (This is also how they got blades for other types of period tension saws, as well.) Then they took it to a blacksmith to hot punch holes for the keeper studs. Once I learned that, I found one can take modern band saw blade rolls and do the same thing, though you have to spot aneal them to drill for the retaining studs or bore the holes with carbide drill bits. Gus |
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Well, there was. 
