The Davistown Museum
Center for the Study of Early Tools
Scattered throughout The Davistown Museum are tools by important manufacturers who are also the subject of
information files compiled by the museum. This is a listing of our holdings for:
J. Stevens & Company

Status Location
The Industrial Revolution (1865f.): Classic Period of American Machinist's Tools
Machinist's Tools
032203T9 Calipers photo DTM
Steel and brass, 3" long, signed "J. STEVENS A & T, CO." "FEALDEN", ca. 1886.
An exquisite example of the fine work of J. Stevens Co.
032203T8 Dividers photo DTM
Steel and brass, 9 3/4" long, signed "J STEVENS A & T CO. Chicopee Falls Mass USA".
J. Stevens began making calipers and dividers in 1864. They changed their name to J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. in 1886.
These high quality American made dividers are typical of American made tools appearing in tool kits at this time.
Measuring Tools
21201T11 Adjustable caliper DTM
Steel, 6 1/8" high, signed "J. Steven A & T Co. Chicopee Falls Mass".
This signature is one of three variations listed in DATM (1999) pg. 757 for this prolific maker of bits, calipers, dividers, levels,
machinist tools and guns, 1864 - 1903. In 1903 they were bought out by L.S. Starrett.
42602T6 Adjustable dividers DTM
Steel, 8" long, signed "J Stevens A & T Co Chicopee Falls Mass USA".
Formerly the J Stevens & Company, they changed their name to Stevens Arms & Tool Co. in 1886. Always a prolific maker
of guns, their hand tools are sought after examples of the classic period of American machinist's tools.
122002T1 Dividers DTM
Steel, 4" long, signed "Stevens & Co.".
DATM (1999) pg. 757 contains historical information on Joshua Stevens & Co.
41302T11 Inside calipers DTM
Cast steel, 3 1/2" long, 1 3/8" wide when closed, signed "J. Stevens A & T Co. Chicopee Falls Mass PAT March 9 1886".
These are finely made beveled spring calipers. Joshua Stevens, one of the principle tool manufacturers of the classic
period, worked in Chicopee, MA, from 1864 to 1903. Numerous patents are listed, they changed their name to Stevens Arms
& Tool Co. in 1886. This company had a close association with the Davis Level & Tool Co. of Springfield, MA (1875 - 1892)
with respect to the R. Hathaway patented square (4 Dec. 1866). DATM (1999) pg. 757 and 214.
41203T4 Surface gauge photo LPC
Steel, 4 1/8" long arm with a 1 7/16" wide by 2 3/8" long bar, signed "J. Stevens A & T Co" "Chicopee Falls Mass USA".
A classic example of the exquisite workmanship of the classic period of American machinist tools.

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