Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: lauver on July 02, 2014, 12:50:34 PM

Title: Can You Identify This Mark?
Post by: lauver on July 02, 2014, 12:50:34 PM

Gang,

I picked up a sweet little 7/8" hole punch recently that has a stamped marking I have never seen.  I think it's something like BWCo with some line work around it, but I can barely make it out.

Here's a few photo's:

 (http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo109/lauver_photos/BWCoPunch1_zps4d43655b.jpg) (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/lauver_photos/media/BWCoPunch1_zps4d43655b.jpg.html)

(http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo109/lauver_photos/BWCoPunch2_zpsf4a9731f.jpg) (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/lauver_photos/media/BWCoPunch2_zpsf4a9731f.jpg.html)

(http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo109/lauver_photos/BWCoPunch3_zps3030f5e6.jpg) (http://s366.photobucket.com/user/lauver_photos/media/BWCoPunch3_zps3030f5e6.jpg.html)

Any help appreciated...

Title: Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
Post by: lbgradwell on July 02, 2014, 01:00:21 PM

Braunsdorf-Mueller Corporation...

Title: Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
Post by: lauver on July 02, 2014, 02:21:27 PM

LG,

Are you saying it is Braunsdorf-Mueller Corp or it might be?

I take it this is a German company?

Have you seen this mark before?

Title: Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
Post by: lbgradwell on July 02, 2014, 02:29:26 PM

It's definitely Braunsdorf-Mueller Corporation and, no, they were actually a company located in Elizabeth, New Jersey. They were incorporated in 1901, but existed earlier than that. They disappeared ~1910 or so, so your punch is over a 100 years old!

They're on AA...

https://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/braunsdorf-mueller.html (https://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/braunsdorf-mueller.html)

Title: Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
Post by: lbgradwell on July 02, 2014, 02:31:51 PM

They also made (or at least offered) socket sets:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116772 (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116772)

Title: Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
Post by: rusty on July 02, 2014, 02:42:05 PM

Chisels, mitre boxes, saws, hammers,scredrivers,nail sets, mechanics tools, the works....

Title: Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
Post by: lbgradwell on July 02, 2014, 02:43:28 PM

I'm going to have to change the end date I gave above.

This is taken from a PDF available online titled "Elizabeth, New Jersey Then and Now" and claims the company made it to 1918 at least...



(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/lbgradwell/Braunsdorf-Mueller-Corporat.jpg)

Title: Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
Post by: rusty on July 02, 2014, 02:57:34 PM

Henry R. Braunsdorf died in 1912, I suspect the company veered off after that.

Obit gives some hint of founding date...

" Mr. Braunsdorf began his business career as a stock boy with Hammacher, Schlemmer & Company, of New York, in 1882...
... In 1898 Mr. Braunsdorf associated himself with Charles F. Mueller, who was then conducting a tool manufacturing business under the name of the Charles F. Mueller Company. Mr. Braunsdorf became at that time one of the firm and later the business was incorporated under its present title.
...
For ten years Mr. Braunsdorf had been president of the Braunsdorf-Mueller Company, but for the past two years, owing to illness, he was unable to take an active part in the affairs of the company

(Building Age, Vol  34, 1912)

Title: Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
Post by: lauver on July 02, 2014, 03:23:05 PM

Gang,

Thanks for shedding light on yet another mystery tool.  Muchos Gracias....

Title: Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
Post by: Chillylulu on July 02, 2014, 07:13:05 PM

I found the same sort of thing.  Several ebay sellers have arch punches for sale from BMC in New Jersey. 

I was getting hung up on the bmc that made those funny vise grip like wrenches with the adjustment nut in the middle of the side instead of on an edge.

Chilly

Title: Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
Post by: lbgradwell on July 02, 2014, 07:21:23 PM

Quote from: Chillylulu on July 02, 2014, 07:13:05 PM

I was getting hung up on the bmc that made those funny vise grip like wrenches...

"Botnick Motor Corporation"  :grin: