The Davistown Museum
Center for the Study of Early Tools

Center bits
This collection of center bits was found in a single carpenter's tool chest, yet all have different manufacturer's marks.
This illustrates the wide variety of sources for cast steel center bits and other edge tools in the mid-19th century.
This particular grouping has a surprising number of Philadelphia makers; perhaps the tool chest in which these were
found originated in the Philadelphia area. All DATM (1999) references below are from the Directory of American
Toolmakers by Robert Nelson. Status Location

Special Collection
Woodworking: Boring Tools
41203T31 Center bit DTM MH
Cast steel, 4 1/4" long, 19/32" diameter, signed "J. BEE CAST STEEL".
DATM (Nelson 1999, 993) indicates James Bee, 1814, is a foreign maker of braces and bits.

Special Collection
Woodworking: Boring Tools
41203T3J Center bit DTM MH
Steel, signed "Spears & Jackson".
This is made by another well known Sheffield, England, manufacturer.
41203T3H Center bit DTM MH
Steel, signed "W. Greaves & Sons Steel Works".
This is made by a famous and prolific Sheffield, England, manufacturer.
41203T3G Center bit DTM MH
Cast steel, signed "__ Wells & Co Cast Steel".
DATM (Nelson 1999) lists a T. E. Wells with working dates from 1850 - 1854 in Philadelphia, PA.
41203T3A Center bit DTM MH
Drop-forged steel, signed "J Booth & Son".
DATM (Nelson 1999) lists this company's working dates from 1850 - 1854 in Philadelphia, PA.

Special Collection
Woodworking: Boring Tools
41203T3F Center bit DTM MH
Steel, signed "Stortz & Son".
DATM (Nelson 1999) lists this company's working dates from 1853 - 1972 in Philadelphia, PA.
41203T3E Center bit DTM MH
Steel, signed "Walter & Co. Cast Steel".
This company is not listed in DATM (Nelson 1999); it is probably a Sheffield, England, manufacturer.
41203T3D Center bit DTM MH
Steel, signed "Thiele & Quack".
DATM (Nelson 1999, 782) lists this company as making bits and dies with no location or date.
41203T3C Center bit DTM MH
steel, signed "Bagshaw & Field".
DATM (Nelson 1999, 47) lists this company's working dates from 1881 - 1931 in Philadelphia, PA. Walter Bragshaw was working in
Philadelphia as early as 1866.
41203T3B Center bit DTM MH
Steel, signed "H. Boker".
DATM (Nelson 1999, 98) lists this company's working dates from 1837 - 1969, no location given. Most Boker tools were imported from
Germany.

Page 1 of 1