Skip to main content
Bench Shears 2014-65
Bench Shears
Bench Shears 2014-65

Bench Shears

Date1840-1870
Maker Roys & Wilcox
MediumIron and steel
DimensionsOL: 42 3/8" Length of cutting edges: 8 5/8"
Credit LineGift of Stephen Eisenhart
Object number2014-65
DescriptionBench shears, large size with elongated jaws and angled bench tang.
Label TextWhile the tinsmith would use a scissors-like hand shear to cut small pieces of tin, for larger cuts he would turn to the bench shears. Based on the same principal as the smaller version, this shear was mounted on a work bench or stump, and allowed the operator to put much more force into the cut, while offering good control.

The lower handle has a downward-pointing tang which fits into a hole in the workbench or stump. A similar projection at the end of the top handle acted as a stop, bearing on the lower one and preventing the used from crushing his knuckles.

These tools were manufactured in a number of different sizes during the 18th and 19th centuries, and this example is amongst the larger ones. Made by the Connecticut firm of Roys and Wilcox, the mark CAST STEEL means the shears was forged from steel made by the casting process. This causes confusion nowadays since it does not mean the components of this tool were cast into the shapes we see.
MarkingsStamped ROYS & WILCOX - EAST BERLIN - CAST STEEL in three lines on the lower handle near the pivot bolt.
ProvenanceFrom the Eisenhart collection of tinsmithing tools.
Bench Shears 2014-66
1824-1854
D2011-CL. Shears
1790-1820
Record photo, 12-17-2014.
1810-1830
Bench Shears 2014-67
ca. 1870
Hand Shears
1750-1820
Record
19th/early 20th century
Hand Shears
1850-1900
1988-502, Spinning Wheel
Before 1814 (death of maker)
Record
1750-1850