Scratch awl

[Ricky Joe]

I’ve had this for years, and apparently never used it. When I went to use it the other day, I thought I broke it. Not so. The end is spring loaded, and retracts and returns by spring action. I guess in using it I broke it loose. Now I wonder why it would be that way, what would be its original purpose?

 

[cgrutt]

Automatic center punch?

 

[isb cornbinder]

I’ve had this for years, and apparently never used it. When I went to use it the other day, I thought I broke it. Not so. The end is spring loaded, and retracts and returns by spring action. I guess in using it I broke it loose. Now I wonder why it would be that way, what would be its original purpose?

what would be its original purpose? My guess is scratching stuff.

 

[Ricky Joe]

.

 

[The Cobbler]

looks like an old Richard brand tool.
is it an auto center punch/ awl for sheet metal perhaps ?

 

[isb cornbinder]

You are probably much smarter than I, but in my experience scratch awls require a certain rigidity in order to make a mark. The spring loaded feature must have a reason, to my feeble mind. Maybe not.

I am more feeble than you. I was trying to be funny, but, that failed. I wonder if the scratcher part might have come lose. I hope you figure this out.

 

[Ricky Joe]

.

 

[cgrutt]

If you apply steady pressure on one fixed point does it "click" and leave an indent? That's the way an automatic center punch works If you're not familiar with one. Haven't seen one in shape of an awl though. Just thinking it might be an early version.

 

[isb cornbinder]

If used as a punch, it seems the spring would be a bit delicate and not hold up very well. That said, I don’t know is why I asked.

I have a dozen scratch awls dating back over 70 years. All of them have fixed points. I have 2 automatic center punches with adjustable tension.
Are you able to take this awl apart? Do it for science.

 

[Ricky Joe]

.

 

[Mintgrun]

I think that is an ice pick. Maybe the spring is to add a little cushion for your hands and wrists. I like kitchen tools. Sometimes you can tell the brand by the handle shape or paint colors. There's a cool site all about ice tools. I'll try to find it.

 

[Mintgrun]

I found the site. https://www.icetoolcollection.com/12combinationtools.htm

If you scroll to the bottom of that page, there is a menu with different styles if ice picks to choose from. Some are similar, but none just like yours. It's funny, I see some scratch awls on that site being called ice picks.

Ice Picks

Square Handle

Cylinder Handle

Capped Handle

Light Bulb/Pear Handle

Knob Handle

Metal Handle

Other Materials Handles

 

[Ricky Joe]

I found the site. https://www.icetoolcollection.com/12combinationtools.htm

If you scroll to the bottom of that page, there is a menu with different styles if ice picks to choose from. Some are similar, but none just like yours. It's funny, I see some scratch awls on that site being called ice picks.

Ice Picks

Square Handle

Cylinder Handle

Capped Handle

Light Bulb/Pear Handle

Knob Handle

Metal Handle

Other Materials Handles

I think that is an ice pick. Maybe the spring is to add a little cushion for your hands and wrists. I like kitchen tools. Sometimes you can tell the brand by the handle shape or paint colors. There's a cool site all about ice tools. I'll try to find it.

thanks! I doubt it is the same style used on Trotsky, but it makes sense that it would be an ice pick.

 

[Mintgrun]

I see a couple of "w"s on the ferrule. Can you make out the rest of the letters?

This is taken from that site. Most of the images didn't copy, but there are several spring loaded examples.

​

This group of ice picks has a coiled spring in the handle.​
L = 10-1/2" extended, 9" compressed. TAPIT CHIPLESS, US & FOR. PATS. PEND. MADE IN USA on the paper label around the handle. The collection also consists of a green, yellow and red ice pick.​	Different original paint colors collected.​
L - 10-1/4" Extended, 8-1/2" Compressed. No markings. This shows different manufacturing techniques for installing and retaining the spring mechanism. Looking at the picture on the left - the pick on the left (darker red) has a hole in the end of the handle where the spring was installed and then plugged. Now, looking at the right picture, one can see a metal sleeve has been inserted in the other end of the handle of the lighter colored pick to house and retain the spring. NOTES: 1) The small hole in the center of the end of the handle of the lighter red pick has thread marks and probably was from an eye hook for hanging. 2) All the other picks of this style have the spring installed through the end of the handle like the dark red pick discuss here.​
L - Extended - 10-1/4", Compressed - 8-7/8", Stroke 1-3/8", TAPIT CHIPLESS, US & FOR. PATS. PEND. MADE IN USA on the paper label around the handle.​
L = 10" extended, 8-3/4" compressed. No special markings. L - 11-1/8", Spring in handle allowing a 1-7/8" stroke. ANDROCK stamped on the ferrule. L - 11", Spring in handle allowing a 1-1/2" stroke. ANDROCK stamped on the ferrule. L - 11-1/8", extended, 8-3/4" compressed. No special markings, just another color sample.​
L = 9-5/8" extended, 8" compressed. No special markings.​
L = 9" extended, 8" compressed. A 1" stroke, Spring i​

 

[RTM]

You missed a good candidate here

Home

Pop the cap off the green one, and the shape is very similar. Put that handle on a spring loaded tip, and you are getting close. Even has the W over W. Wallace and Sons Mfg applied for the patent.

Some poor copy and paste below.

​

Crimped Caps​

Patent 1,693,269 Issued Nov. 27, 1928

L = 8-1/2", PAT. NOV 27"28 & WB/W on one of the tangs of the cap.

Patent 1,693,269 Issued Nov. 27, 1928

For a tool handle.

US1693269A - Tool handle - Google Patents

L = 8-1/2", PAT. NOV 27"28 & WB/W on one of the tangs of the cap.



L - 8-1/8", APLD FOR PAT in raised letters in the center of the cap. Some of the lettering is hard to read because of use. I have seen other ice picks of this same handle configuration with the patent date stamped on one of the tangs of the cap.



L - 7-7/8",

WB/B, stamped on one tab on the cap and PAT NOV 27, 28 stamped on another tab.



L - 8",

The cap is crimped on and two of the cap tangs are marked. One with Pat. Nov. 27, 28 and the other with WB over W. Just another color scheme.​

 

[Mintgrun]

I had trouble with the copy/paste from that site too. I think the WB/W is a hit. I thought I saw a B in Ricky Joe's and the W is below the WB.