Two Mysteries

[rdjohannes]

I hate to burden you all, but I know you love a mystery tool like I do, and I have 2 of them. One is some sort of a scope, marked, “TACRO INC. Made in Germany,” and “40X.” Measures about 5” long and 1/2” diameter. Seems adjustable, but I can’t seem to focus it. And then a pair of mystery pliers, marked “USMC” or “USNC” and “Made in USA.” They are wide, duck-bill pliers, looking like something to form sheet metal. They are very precise, and beautifully made. Any idea who made either of these, and their purpose? Thank you in advance for any help you can offer!

 

[john.k]

USMC...think United Shoe Machinery

 

[Private Lugnutz]

USMC...think United Shoe Machinery

^ This.

...and their purpose?

They're called Lining Pincers. Related to Lasting Pliers, but special purpose for aligning second lastings and uppers. Good picture of one with a good description in the catalog on Internet Archive/International Tool Catalog Library. We have a "USMC" thread if you want to read more about the history of the company called, simply, "the Shoe" in New England. We have not seen any Lining Pincers and it would be a great and very welcome addition to the collective inventory (several collectors, each with several tools). Please post it there. You can find it in the A-Z Index of Threads in the Sticky at the top of the forum down in the "U"'s.

Nice find!

 

[four.cycle]

^ "Tacro, Inc." of Germany manufactured drafting tools. (Drafting pens, compasses, etc.)
Not sure how "scope" fits into the scope of their products.

(I did that on purpose.)

 

[RTM]

^ "Tacro, Inc." of Germany manufactured drafting tools. (Drafting pens, compasses, etc.)

Maybe it is a pocket transit level scope.

I see the little slider on the end, is that how you are trying to focus it? Or twisting the front (black) end?

Kinda like this

Hughes-Owens Pocket Transit Scope Bubble Sight Level w/ Case Surveyor 5" VTG | #3824641619

Vintage Hughes-Owens Pocket Transit Scope Bubble Sight Level w/ Case Surveyor 5 long. 3/4 diameter. Vintage in good cosmetic condition - some dust in level and wear where black coating is worn off e

www.worthpoint.com

 

[rdjohannes]

Thanks so much—you all are amazing! I’ll leave a post on the USMC forum. It makes some sense that the scope might be drafting equipment. I came upon a stash of machinists measuring devices, many of them Mitutoyo, and they came with a Mitutoyo loupe. It’s just like a jeweler’s loupe, for reading tiny measurements. I’ll go on a search for Tacro Inc. Thanks again!

 

[gamescastspencer]

Pocket scope. Useful in tool grinding to check margin and land widths on cutting tools.

If you sight down it is it graduated? 40x likely would be .001 graduations. Mine below is a 20x, .002 graduations. Looks to be adjustable for focus too.

Fowler sells them along with a few other brands.

 

[rdjohannes]

Thank you! Pocket scope makes sense. Just have to figure out how to focus it.
I have to post one more item that came to me in the same box as the pocket scope. It’s a Huot drill index from St. Paul MN. It holds 60 drills, all of them under 1/4 in. .228 down to .040. Sadly it’s unique, but empty

 

[Provincial]

Number drill case.

 

[d42jeep]

Number drill case.

My Huot number drill set is newer with no mention of the patent date.
-Don

 

[Beerhippie]

Thank you! Pocket scope makes sense. Just have to figure out how to focus it.
I have to post one more item that came to me in the same box as the pocket scope. It’s a Huot drill index from St. Paul MN. It holds 60 drills, all of them under 1/4 in. .228 down to .040. Sadly it’s unique, but empty

For focusing your pocket scope, most are fixed-focus. A 40X will have a very close working distance. It should focus with the tip of the angled piece resting on what you're looking at.

The eyepiece usually screws in and out a bit to accommodate different eyes. The slider is probably to get the reticle (if present) in focus with the subject.

Older optics that have been poorly stored can develop fungus on the lenses. If that has happened, it will always look out-of-focus. Only cure is to take it apart (if possible) and clean the lenses--and hope the glass isn't etched by the fungus.