Looking for info on this Starrett piece

[txlonghorn1989]

I recently bought a couple of Kennedy boxes and the seller also gave me the contents of his father's wooden machinist chest. At the time, there didn't seem to be a whole lot in there that looked worth much but time is proving that to be wrong. Already found a mostly complete set of Starrett trammel points, Starrett marking gauge, Stanley No 1 Odd Jobs, etc. There was a driver that holds the screw in place. I liked the way it was put together from the handle to the piece. It seemed like a quality piece. I was cleaning off the heavy rust this afternoon and it turns out to be The L.S. Starrett Co. It is marked No. 550, Pat. May 26, 1903. A google search doesn't turn up any information. Anyone recognize it and have any details on age, value, etc?

Thanks!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here ya go, Mike. Excerpted from the 1917 catalog....

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The screw holder makes it a #551. Different patent. DATAMP does a nice summary, linked here. (Whenever I find something with a patent or patent date, I start with DATAMP. If they don't have it, I go to USPTO.)

 

[txlonghorn1989]

Thanks Lugz! That's a 550 and it's close to the one I have. Differences are the pieces (like spring steel) on mine that hold a screw in place and also there's a difference in where this one and mine have the maker's marks. Mine are on the shaft horizontally. Not marked on the ferrule and the handle. Sadly, I've only got one driver tip.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

See my note above and go to DATAMP via my link for more on your holder. I wouldn't place too much if any credence on markings in antique catalogs. These are artist's renderings. Even in vintage catalogs as late as the 40's the markings were optimized for reading in a catalog in a way that does not bear out in examples.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here's the #551.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

It's clear on the 551 in the 2nd catalog entry that the shaft on that driver is twisted and looking back at the 550 in the 1st catalog entry it looks like it might be as well. Or am I just seeing something that isn't there? My 550 has no twist at all. I'll have a look at those patents.