CLOSED- Johnnie Fain Memorial Auction – Lewis Plier Knife
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 12:54 pm
Lewis Patent Plier Knife
For many of our new members let me say that in March of 2009 AAPK lost a very good friend and Moderator par excellence when Johnnie Fain passed away unexpectedly.
I am auctioning off 4 knives this week for Johnnie’s wife Annette. She can use the money to pay off expenses associated with Johnnie’s passing.
This auction is for anyone who wants a nice knife. I know many of Johnnie’s friends (which includes most of the members of AAPK) would like an opportunity to purchase one of Johnny's knives and at the same time help out Annette.
Up for auction is a Lewis Patent plier knife.
Johnnie & I had discussed this knife a time or two when talking on the phone. He was very proud of it. I do not recall where he got it, but I imagine it was one he got off ebay. Even though this knife is around 100 years old, and it was sold to be a tool, and bears the marks of having been used for it’s intended purpose, it is functional and a neat old knife. The clip blade is surprisingly full and in good condition for the age of the knife.
MAKER: Oscar Barnett Tool Co. of Newark NJ
PATTERN: Plier Knife
CLOSED LENGTH: 4-1/4”
HANDLES: Jigged bone
TANG STAMPS: SHAPLEIGH HDW CO D-E (in center in a diamond)
PLIER HANDLE STAMP: J.G. LEWIS/ (illegible) V 20, 1900 This corresponds with the Nov 29, 1900 date of the Lewis patent.
CONDITION: Used
DAMAGE: Cracks in both handles. Wear & dings in bolsters. Bolsters at some time were cleaned up and polished. Usage dings & marks on punch, pliers & blade.
AGE: Approximately 94 to 108 years. This knife was patented in 1900 and Barrett Tool Co. went out of business in about 1915.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
BLADE WEAR: Clip blade pretty full, but may have been 1/8” longer at maximum.
SHIELD AND BLADE ETCH: None
SNAP: Fair for Clip blade. Punch has snap both open & close but gas strange “feel” to it. I think it is part of the design.
ADDITIONAL INFO: See Levine’s Guide 4, page 292. Levine says these were made for various hardware distributors and mail-order houses. This knife does not bear the typical HHH stamp on the handle nor is it etched on the blade. If either were present they are long gone now.
This auction will end at 12 Noon, Wednesday, August 5. At that time the high bidder will be declared the winner. Payment will be by money order. Upon receipt of payment the knife will be shipped.
The payment price will be the winning bid plus $8.00 for shipping via Priority Mail with insurance and delivery confirmation.
This was one of Johnnie’s favorite knives, so bid to win. The money goes to a good cause and you get a great old piece of American Cutlery History.
A heart felt “Thank You” from me (orvet) to all AAPK members. You are what makes AAPK the best and friendliest knife forum on the web!
Thank you,
Dale Vincent
AAPK Administrator
For many of our new members let me say that in March of 2009 AAPK lost a very good friend and Moderator par excellence when Johnnie Fain passed away unexpectedly.
I am auctioning off 4 knives this week for Johnnie’s wife Annette. She can use the money to pay off expenses associated with Johnnie’s passing.
This auction is for anyone who wants a nice knife. I know many of Johnnie’s friends (which includes most of the members of AAPK) would like an opportunity to purchase one of Johnny's knives and at the same time help out Annette.
Up for auction is a Lewis Patent plier knife.
Johnnie & I had discussed this knife a time or two when talking on the phone. He was very proud of it. I do not recall where he got it, but I imagine it was one he got off ebay. Even though this knife is around 100 years old, and it was sold to be a tool, and bears the marks of having been used for it’s intended purpose, it is functional and a neat old knife. The clip blade is surprisingly full and in good condition for the age of the knife.
MAKER: Oscar Barnett Tool Co. of Newark NJ
PATTERN: Plier Knife
CLOSED LENGTH: 4-1/4”
HANDLES: Jigged bone
TANG STAMPS: SHAPLEIGH HDW CO D-E (in center in a diamond)
PLIER HANDLE STAMP: J.G. LEWIS/ (illegible) V 20, 1900 This corresponds with the Nov 29, 1900 date of the Lewis patent.
CONDITION: Used
DAMAGE: Cracks in both handles. Wear & dings in bolsters. Bolsters at some time were cleaned up and polished. Usage dings & marks on punch, pliers & blade.
AGE: Approximately 94 to 108 years. This knife was patented in 1900 and Barrett Tool Co. went out of business in about 1915.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
BLADE WEAR: Clip blade pretty full, but may have been 1/8” longer at maximum.
SHIELD AND BLADE ETCH: None
SNAP: Fair for Clip blade. Punch has snap both open & close but gas strange “feel” to it. I think it is part of the design.
ADDITIONAL INFO: See Levine’s Guide 4, page 292. Levine says these were made for various hardware distributors and mail-order houses. This knife does not bear the typical HHH stamp on the handle nor is it etched on the blade. If either were present they are long gone now.
This auction will end at 12 Noon, Wednesday, August 5. At that time the high bidder will be declared the winner. Payment will be by money order. Upon receipt of payment the knife will be shipped.
The payment price will be the winning bid plus $8.00 for shipping via Priority Mail with insurance and delivery confirmation.
This was one of Johnnie’s favorite knives, so bid to win. The money goes to a good cause and you get a great old piece of American Cutlery History.
A heart felt “Thank You” from me (orvet) to all AAPK members. You are what makes AAPK the best and friendliest knife forum on the web!
Thank you,
Dale Vincent
AAPK Administrator
