Images(2)

Tin Tools 2014-62A&B; 2014-63; 2014-64; 2014-65; 2014-66; 2014-67; 2014-68;

Bench Shears

Date1840-1870

Maker Roys & Wilcox

OriginAmerica, Connecticut, East Berlin

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.