Sampson Tool Mfg, Newark NJ. Anyone know 'em?

[MisterEd]

Picked up an inside caliper made, it appears, by Sampson Tool. In good functional shape; tight hinge, smooth thread. Can't find anything about it or them. Anyone know anything?

 

[RTM]

Looks like they were around from 1940 to 1962, based on Google Books. Listed as Leather Workers Tool maker in 1940, Calipers in 1945

 

[MisterEd]

Thanks. You're a better searcher than I!

 

[RTM]

In the small world category, I've picked up 3 pair of these in 2 months. Picked up the internals at the Surplus Tools on Alameda in Denver, and then the bow dividers and wing dividers at an Estate Sale Friday. Never really heard of them prior to this question that I can recall. The full mark is Sampson tool & Mfg, Newark NJ, USA in a triangle

Looks like they were located at 170 Newton Avenue, Rear in 1940, 260 Norfolk in 1949-62. Somehow there was a tie to a John H Graham and Co, who was once listed as their secretary, but another book has many links to that name from different companies. Shell companies, DBAs?

 

[neophyte]

C.S. Osborne is currently in Harrison NJ, right across the Passaic River from Trenton, NJ.
C.S. Osborne also specializes in tools for leather working.
The C.S. Osborne 106 model dividers look very similar to the ones RTM posted.

 

[RTM]

C.S. Osborne is currently in Harrison NJ, right across the Passaic River from Trenton, NJ.
C.S. Osborne also specializes in tools for leather working.
The C.S. Osborne 106 model dividers look very similar to the ones RTM posted.

Actually, my first guess was Wm Johnson, also in Newark, with his model 106. Osborne has a similar one as well.

William Johnson, Inc. : Mechanics' Tools and Hardware Specialties : Catalogue No. 32-A : William Johnson, Inc. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

28 p., illus., 27.8 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[Skiff Builder]

C.S. Osborne is currently in Harrison NJ, right across the Passaic River from Trenton, NJ.
C.S. Osborne also specializes in tools for leather working.
The C.S. Osborne 106 model dividers look very similar to the ones RTM posted.

Just in case anybody plans on a trip there. Harrison lies just across the Passaic River from Newark, NJ.

 

[neophyte]

Just in case anybody plans on a trip there. Harrison lies just across the Passaic River from Newark, NJ.

Sorry,
My bad.

 

[neophyte]

Actually, my first guess was Wm Johnson, also in Newark, with his model 106. Osborne has a similar one as well.

William Johnson, Inc. : Mechanics' Tools and Hardware Specialties : Catalogue No. 32-A : William Johnson, Inc. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

28 p., illus., 27.8 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

C.S. Osborne has or used to have a “Johnson” model trowel listed in their catalog, abd a bunch of other items in the Johnson catalog you linked to match up with current C.S. Osborne items as well.

 

[four.cycle]

WM Johnson Tools

Finding information about this company is a challenge but none the less it can be done. Some of the information (without seeing much historical archives will have lots of blanks so keep that in mind). What I do know is the company of WM Johnson started in 1830 in Newark, N. J. Mr. Johnson was...

www.garagejournal.com

William Johnson Co. of Newark was acquired by C.S. Osborne Co. in 1938

 

[bryanrj]

Simpson outside caliper. Needs an Evaporust bath, but functions.

 

[baldytooltime]

I have reason to believe that Sampson Tool & MFG (Newark) was the reorganized Samson Tool (New York).

 

[Beerhippie]

Just a WAG, but not the same Sampson?

 

[baldytooltime]

That company was out of Chicago. Loads of companies named their tools after Samson. Even several companies. So the name Samson standing alone on a tool is just that particular companies nickname for that tool or series of tools.

 

[four.cycle]

There's no P in "Samson"

Sampson / Sampson Tool Co. Inc., 101 Walker St., New York, NY / http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=11245&tab=0 /

Sampson / Sampson Tool & Mfg., 260 Norfolk, Newark, NJ (originally 170 Newton Ave.) / calipers / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/sampson-tool-mfg-newark-nj-anyone-know-em.462427/ /

Samson / Samson see Peck Stow and Wilcox / private label brand manufactured for Peck Stow & Wilcox by ? /

Samson / Samson car mover see G.D. Rowell & Son, Appleton, WI /

Samson / lever jaw locking pliers see Wm. Truman Tool Co., Elmhurst, IL /

Samson / locking pliers see Metal Engineering Co. /

Samson / metal punch see Machine Appliance Corp., Brooklyn, NY /

Samson / Samson self-adjusting wrench see Lowentraut /

Samson / screwdrivers, twist drills see Sawyer Tool Mfg. Co. /

Samson / Samson Tool Co., New York, NY / caliper, wrench /

Samson / Samson track bender see Richardson & Tallman /

Samson / Samson Tractor Co., Stockton, CA / implement wrenches / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samson_Tractor /

Samson / Samson windmill wrench see Stover Mfg. Co., Freeport, IL /

Samson / Samson Wrench Co., Rockford, IL (La Crosse, WI ?) / patent 1464004 Aug 7 1923 George W. Kelley /

LIST IS HERE

 

[baldytooltime]

That is correct. I will attempt to provide evidence that SAMSON (without a P) Tool co. from New York added a P and reporganized as SAMPSON (with a P) Tool & Mfg. in nearby Newark. I am trying to find a caliper then I will present my case. Thanks.

 

[baldytooltime]

Here is first piece of evidence. SAMSON TOOL CO. NYC NEW YORK (no P) was an early 1900s tool distributor. There have been Alligator, S as well as Stillson wrenches with their company name stamped on them. Here is a Stillson I have with the company name on it.

 

[Beerhippie]

There's no P in "Samson"
....

No, but there are clumsy fingers on this keyboard!

 

[baldytooltime]

Further evidence. A caliper from Samson Tool Co. New York (no P) and a remarkably similar caliper from Sampson Tool & Mfg Newark (with P). Newark is 14.9 miles from NYC I seriously doubt that both were making this “same” caliper with such similar names. Samson Tool (which had been around since early one spring leaf Stillson days) stopped producing and literally fell off the map while at the time and Sampson Tool & Mfg. started up and continued to produce. I figured the name Samson (a symbol of strength) was being used in so many tools they couldn’t effectively market who they were. So reorganized under same name and economically relocated to Newark. So I postulate that Samson Tool Co. and Sampson Tool & Mfg were actually the same company so to speak.

 

[four.cycle]

corrected list of "Sampson" and "Samson" here 11/29/24 @ 11:15 PST

They are two distinctly separate companies.

Thanks for sending me down that rabbit hole again, though.... the windmill advertising poster is a classic.

 

[baldytooltime]

I beg to differ. Nothing you presented proves that Samson didn’t become Sampson.

 

[baldytooltime]

There’s no information on Samson Tool Co from NYC NEW YORK. Presented anywhere. The Sampson (with a P) from New York even throws more fuel on the fire. I presented two identical outside calipers with both companies names on it. There’s just too much coincidence for me.

 

[four.cycle]

Virgil Saak 2011 Antique Wrench Auction - York, Nebraska

0164. THE SAMSON TOOL CO. - NEW YORK - - 8" Coes type monkey wrench with a knife type handle. Scarce markings. Good+ with a 3/4" long tight handle crack. (not listed, no info) photo here

Vernon Nail Antique Wrench Auction April 13-15, York, Nebraska

(6.) THE SAMSON TOOL CO. - NEW YORK - - Coes type monkey wrench with a knife type handle. RARE photo here

MID-SUMMER WRENCH AUCTION July 27-28, 2012, Cosgrove Institute, Oxford, Iowa

580.Lot of four double ended alligator wenches: SAMSON TOOL CO. NEW YORK, with thread chaser in handle; BONNEY VIXON ALLENTOWN PA; K&B SAXON with mild pitting; HAWKEYE WRENCH CO. CROCODILE MARSHALLTOWN, IA, very good. (no photo?)


Samson Tool Co., New York, NY caliper (photo: ebay)


Samson Tool Co., New York, NY "alligator" type wrench (photo: ebay)

"Sampson" of New Jersey and "Samson" of New York were two separate business entities.

There are all kinds of companies that have very similar names, many of which can get confusing. Start with "Champion".

In all cases, in respect to anything "wrench", I have to defer to the de facto experts. If the members of the MVWC (Missouri Valley Wrench Club) are saying "Samson Tool Co. of New York", one can generally assume the information to be correct.
If you have some definitive empirical evidence that shows otherwise, I'm sure Mr. Haury and Mr. Schulz (and I myself) would like to see it.

 

[baldytooltime]

My point is Samson Tool Co. NYC New York BECAME Sampson Tool & MFG of Newark, New Jersey. Not that they are the same company.

 

[four.cycle]

Well.. if you have something that documents that, please share it.

Supposition and conjecture does not equate to empirical evidence.

 

[baldytooltime]

I thought I did. Jeesh.

 

[baldytooltime]

They used the same conjecture on alloy to establish the circle y manufacture.

 

[four.cycle]

You're conflating two entirely different subjects, neither of which have anything to do with one another.

Check business records in trade journals of the era and it will show change of ownership if indeed did occur.

Lacking definitive empirical evidence, all else is just speculation.

 

[baldytooltime]

Wow I was merely suggesting it.

 

[baldytooltime]

Postulate - suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of (something) as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief.

 

[baldytooltime]

I see lots of postulating on this site.

 

[baldytooltime]

You start by saying no P and then go from there. I think you owe me an apology.

 

[Beerhippie]

I read it on the internet! QED!