Mystery pliers...........

[Ray Smi7th]

Bought these at an antique shop that I frequent whilst looking for knives. Not sure of their purpose. Stamped,"BERNARD" on both handles.Stamping "W.Schollhorn Co. New Haven Conn. Pat.6-17-1913". Parallel jaws;2 half circles cut into each jaw;one of which has an adjustable pin protruding into the side of the opposite jaw which has a cutting edge affixed with 2 screws.
Anyone have a clue as to what purpose these served? I am not good at looking up patents.

[Plyerman]

Those are for cutting and splicing round belts, typically used on industrial sewing machines. Here's the patent on Datamp:

http://www.datamp.org/patents/advance.php?pn=488785&id=40378&set=15

[lptools]

I am guessing sewing machine belt pliers, for cutting the round belt, and the pin is the splicing part of the tool. I will look up the patent  to verify. Regards, Lou

[lptools]

Hello, Plyerman. Looks like we were sending at the same time!!!!

[Plyerman]

Hello, Plyerman. Looks like we were sending at the same time!!!!

Haha, usually it's me who is a minute behind though!

[lptools]

That's the story of my life, too, especially at the Sunday A.M. Flea!!!!!

[Ray Smi7th]

Thanks to both of you who responded so quickly! I couldn't pass them up as they looked to be in great shape and the price was right too($5). I'll be so ready when my next industrial sewing machine repair job comes along! lol Thanks again;it is appreciated.

[turnnut]

don't forget that a lot of foot powered woodworking machines also used the round belts.

you can still buy the round belts by the foot.

[Sudsy]

The company has been around forever, known for their side-cutting pliers. Originally made for the cable and wire business but we surf fishermen have been carrying them on our belts forever - to the point where they have finally come out with one specifically for us, the Sportmate

http://www.sargenttools.com/About/Our-History/

http://www.sargenttools.com/Customer-Content/WWW/CMS/files/SportMate1028NN.pdf

[JohnD]

I have a display board full of Bernard patent pliers including a few of these round belt pliers in a couple different sizes, maybe for 1/4" and 3/8" belts. One is also marked "Singer" and another one is "White" I think. Cutter trims belt and punches the hole in the right place for the steel staple that connects the ends. The end of jaws crimps the staple.

[Aunt Phil]

Cutter trims belt and punches the hole in the right place for the steel staple that connects the ends. The end of jaws crimps the staple.

You haven't tried using them yet, have you.