Mark Lyons O--O Cuffs
#1Providence Tool Handcuffs and Leg Irons were made from British Darby design and other than some chain variations, they appear to have made only 1 model of each.
They seem to be the only Darby style cuffs manufactured in the USA in great quantities.
It is known that the tube end of the lock body of the Providence model is finished off more precisely than its British counterparts.
We know that Hiatt and other British cuffs have the plug fitted to the end and a series of punches are used to stake that end cap securely to the tube.
I am not sure if my hunches are accurate, but my opinion is that the Providence cuff is a bit more refined due to the size of factory that I realized when seeing the images for this blog.
With a whole bunch of employees who could make intricate parts for rifles and sewing machines, it make sense that they could finish off their product with more finesse.
They were contracted by Singer Sewing Machine to make machines for them and they manufactured their own models as well.
The Civil War was ending when the perfected their Peabody rifle but they did sell many to other military departments around the globe.
There are numerous similarities between Providence Tool Co and Peter Tait Handcuffs that I wrote about in a different blog.
Both specialized in working with sewing machines and setting up businesses in Turkey and in London.
The Turkish government stiffed Providence Tool out of a lot of money which crippled them terribly. They simply would not pay.
Both presidents of their respective companies were involved in numerous other ventures.
Both offices were also invested in the steamboat industry as well.
____________________________________________________
From Rhode Island Historical Society;
Historical note:
The Providence Tool Company was the outgrowth of the business ventures of two brothers. In 1834, Joseph and Jeremiah Arnold began manufacturing nuts and washers in Pawtucket. When Joseph retired, Jeremiah joined William Field, named their business William Field & Co., and moved to Providence in 1846. In April 1847 the name was changed to the Providence Tool Company.
The company is known for its ammunition production. However, in its early years, it primarily made hammers, pick axes, marlinspikes, nuts, and bolts. In 1856 it merged with the Providence Forge and Nut Company. The Providence Tool Company was successful in supplying machine parts and tools across the nation.
The Civil War created a demand for companies to make munitions for the Union army. The Providence Tool Company took up the call and began weapons manufacturing in 1861. The Company hired Frederick W. Howe, a former supervisor at the Robbins and Lawrence Armory in Windsor, Vermont, to help start the manufacturing of arms.
During the 1860 and 1870s the company continued to produce hardware and machinery. The business expanded so much that in 1867 it opened an office in New York and London. In 1869 the London office closed and when the company encountered difficulty in 1875, the New York office closed as well. In 1873, it received a contract from Singer Sewing Machines to make sewing machines and made machines under other brand names.
From 1872 to 1875, the Providence Tool Company obtained arms contracts with the Turkish government. These contracts helped finance the company's expansion from 148 West River St. to additional plants at 41 and 95 Wickenden St. By the turn of the century the Tool Company had produced 850,000 firearms. The Turkish government did not pay for the arms produced by the 1873 and 1875 contracts. The company became involved with legal battles and lost money on interest and defaulted loans. Finally in 1885 the company reorganized as the Rhode Island Tool Company, which still exists in 1999.
Scope and content:
The Providence Tool Company Papers cover from 1844 to 1944, with the bulk of the material from the years 1856 to 1875. Some of the earlier material involves William Field & Co., and records after 1885 are from the Rhode Island Tool Company. Some of the records were kept by William B. Dart, treasurer and president for 1865 to 1876. Important subjects include: selling arms to the Turkey, arms manufacturing, and hardware production and sales. Important people represented in the collection include: O.F. Winchester, Rufus Waterman, J.B. Anthony, George Rusher, N.E. Watrifs, James A. True and William Field.
They seem to be the only Darby style cuffs manufactured in the USA in great quantities.
It is known that the tube end of the lock body of the Providence model is finished off more precisely than its British counterparts.
We know that Hiatt and other British cuffs have the plug fitted to the end and a series of punches are used to stake that end cap securely to the tube.
I am not sure if my hunches are accurate, but my opinion is that the Providence cuff is a bit more refined due to the size of factory that I realized when seeing the images for this blog.
With a whole bunch of employees who could make intricate parts for rifles and sewing machines, it make sense that they could finish off their product with more finesse.
They were contracted by Singer Sewing Machine to make machines for them and they manufactured their own models as well.
The Civil War was ending when the perfected their Peabody rifle but they did sell many to other military departments around the globe.
There are numerous similarities between Providence Tool Co and Peter Tait Handcuffs that I wrote about in a different blog.
Both specialized in working with sewing machines and setting up businesses in Turkey and in London.
The Turkish government stiffed Providence Tool out of a lot of money which crippled them terribly. They simply would not pay.
Both presidents of their respective companies were involved in numerous other ventures.
Both offices were also invested in the steamboat industry as well.
____________________________________________________
From Rhode Island Historical Society;
Historical note:
The Providence Tool Company was the outgrowth of the business ventures of two brothers. In 1834, Joseph and Jeremiah Arnold began manufacturing nuts and washers in Pawtucket. When Joseph retired, Jeremiah joined William Field, named their business William Field & Co., and moved to Providence in 1846. In April 1847 the name was changed to the Providence Tool Company.
The company is known for its ammunition production. However, in its early years, it primarily made hammers, pick axes, marlinspikes, nuts, and bolts. In 1856 it merged with the Providence Forge and Nut Company. The Providence Tool Company was successful in supplying machine parts and tools across the nation.
The Civil War created a demand for companies to make munitions for the Union army. The Providence Tool Company took up the call and began weapons manufacturing in 1861. The Company hired Frederick W. Howe, a former supervisor at the Robbins and Lawrence Armory in Windsor, Vermont, to help start the manufacturing of arms.
During the 1860 and 1870s the company continued to produce hardware and machinery. The business expanded so much that in 1867 it opened an office in New York and London. In 1869 the London office closed and when the company encountered difficulty in 1875, the New York office closed as well. In 1873, it received a contract from Singer Sewing Machines to make sewing machines and made machines under other brand names.
From 1872 to 1875, the Providence Tool Company obtained arms contracts with the Turkish government. These contracts helped finance the company's expansion from 148 West River St. to additional plants at 41 and 95 Wickenden St. By the turn of the century the Tool Company had produced 850,000 firearms. The Turkish government did not pay for the arms produced by the 1873 and 1875 contracts. The company became involved with legal battles and lost money on interest and defaulted loans. Finally in 1885 the company reorganized as the Rhode Island Tool Company, which still exists in 1999.
Scope and content:
The Providence Tool Company Papers cover from 1844 to 1944, with the bulk of the material from the years 1856 to 1875. Some of the earlier material involves William Field & Co., and records after 1885 are from the Rhode Island Tool Company. Some of the records were kept by William B. Dart, treasurer and president for 1865 to 1876. Important subjects include: selling arms to the Turkey, arms manufacturing, and hardware production and sales. Important people represented in the collection include: O.F. Winchester, Rufus Waterman, J.B. Anthony, George Rusher, N.E. Watrifs, James A. True and William Field.