Author Topic: Can You Identify This Mark?  (Read 2509 times)

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Offline lauver

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Can You Identify This Mark?
« 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:

 





Any help appreciated...
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Offline lbgradwell

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Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
« Reply #1 on: July 02, 2014, 01:00:21 PM »
Braunsdorf-Mueller Corporation...

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Offline lauver

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Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
« Reply #2 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?
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Offline lbgradwell

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Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
« Reply #3 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

Kijiji King

Offline lbgradwell

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Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
« Reply #4 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

Kijiji King

Offline rusty

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Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
« Reply #5 on: July 02, 2014, 02:42:05 PM »
Chisels, mitre boxes, saws, hammers,scredrivers,nail sets, mechanics tools, the works....

Just a weathered light rust/WD40 mix patina.

Offline lbgradwell

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Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
« Reply #6 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...




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Offline rusty

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Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
« Reply #7 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)
Just a weathered light rust/WD40 mix patina.

Offline lauver

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Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2014, 03:23:05 PM »
Gang,

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

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Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
« Reply #9 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

Offline lbgradwell

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Re: Can You Identify This Mark?
« Reply #10 on: July 02, 2014, 07:21:23 PM »
I was getting hung up on the bmc that made those funny vise grip like wrenches...

"Botnick Motor Corporation"  :grin:

Kijiji King