Small Breast Drill c. 1864
Updated 07/14/02
Here is a gif representation of a small breast drill that I own. The top rim of the chuck is stamped:
MERIDEN TOOL CO W. MERIDEN, CT PAT SEP 6, 1864
Patent #44,067 was awarded to Edward B.
Beach for his renowned Beach Patent chuck. By description the chuck was intended
for smaller lathe work, screw cutting and drilling. The
three jaws travel up a
sectional ramp providing self centering. The chuck was shown in the
1867 A.J. Wilkinson and Company hardware catalog and proclaimed "The most
approved drill chuck in the market"(1) The 1895 Chas Strelinger catalog states that
"The Beach and Stetson Chucks are doubtless the finest chucks made, as regards
perfection of fitting and accuracy."(2) The self centering chuck was evidently well
received for many years.
In "Patented Transitional and Metallic Planes in America 1827 to 1927" author Roger K. Smith profiles Henry B. Beach who held partial rights to patents associated with the The Meriden Malleable Iron Co. planes. This was in the 1880's. Roger mentions that "he settled permanently in Meriden about 1863 where he conducted a chuck and drill business for a short time." (3) Coincidence is possible, but I would have to believe that this was in connection with Edgar B. Beach's patented chuck. I find little genealogy data that connects or even identifies the two Beach's. Although an Edgar Beach is listed twice in the 1860 Federal Census in Meriden, the 1860-61 New Haven county directory does not list him. The 1873-74 Meriden directory does list Edgar as a machinist living at 38 Crown Street in Meriden. Henry B. is located at 208 State St. His employment was noted as traveling agent (salesman) .
Reissued patent RE2104 granted the patent of the same chuck to George H. and John T. Clark of Meriden as "asignees by mesne assignments, of Edgar B. Beach" Mesne refers to the fact that the patent did not pass directly from Beach to the Clarks but through an intermediary assignee. There is no mention of the Clarks in either the 1860-61 or 1873-74 New Haven/Meriden directories. There is a listing for a "Beach and Clark" who were seed and grain dealers in the 1860-61 directory. There is also a P.J. Clark, the secretary of the "Malleable Iron Co." at 110 Colony St.
Henry B. Beach of West Meriden was granted patent 194,122 for a chuck on August 14, 1877. This still precedes his involvement with Meriden Malleable Iron Company and their planes.
The drill pictured is a small breast style drill. It is 14.25" tall. The main gear is 3.5" in diameter. The chuck has a threaded portion to turn into the shaft of the drill. A hole through the upper chuck collar allows for a tightening bar to be used to snug it up. Furthur research may help decide if this drill was manufactured by the Beach's in Meriden. Maybe Meriden Tool Co. simply made the chucks. Often older drills are found with chucks that do not seem to visually "fit" and are in fact later replacements or upgrades. This chuck and drill were designed in tandem.
If you can add anything to this topic or
can offer any correction please contact me below. I encourage all input.
References:
(1) 1867 A.J. Wilkinson and Company hardware catalog reprint. Reprinted by The Mid-West Tool Collectors Assn. Sept. 2001 page 23
(2) 1895 Chas A. Strelinger and Co. A Book of Tools, Machinery and Supplies Reprinted by Lindsey Publications Inc Bradley Il ISBN 1-55918-069-2 page 97
(3) Patented Transitional and Metallic Planes in America 1827 to 1927 by Roger K. Smith Published by The North Village Publishing Company Lancaster Mass 1981 ISBN 0-940458-00-4 Page 199. With permission of the author.
All text and images are Copyright Charles Zitur May 12, 2002 unless indicated otherwise.