What's the idea behind this fancy shaped tip?
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/ReedPrince716.jpg)
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/RPTip.jpg)
It's a Reed & Prince!
Just another type of fastener (that is virtually obsolete)...
I'm not guessing any more screwdriver tips after what happened last time LOL
The Phillips screwdriver has about 30-degree flukes and a blunt end, while the Reed and Prince has 45-degree flukes and a sharper, pointed end. The Phillips screw has beveled walls between the slots; the Reed and Prince, straight, pointed walls. In addition, the Phillips screw slot is not as deep as the Reed and Prince slot.
Screwdriver types-
(http://theartdepartments.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/screwheadsinstructable.jpg?w=500)
(http://www.disassociated.com/images/posts/screwheads.jpg)
(http://navyaviation.tpub.com/14001/img/14001_39_1.jpg)
FYI: The Reed & Prince appear as "Frearson" in the first two charts in Papaw's post above...
That is why I searched for more pictures!
Thanks for the info, this is the first one I have found.
>The Reed & Prince appear as "Frearson"
Because the screw pattern was invented (and patented) by John Frearson of Birmingham , England, Patented in the US in 1884
(308246 as an improvment on patent 145411 (1873)