Brown and Sharpe Micrometer

[ctwo]

I caught a Kennedy 7-drawer tool chest, I think a slightly older model. Anyway, it came with a few tools, including a Brown and Sharpe micrometer.

I was under the impression that B&S was a Swiss company, but this one is marked made in USA?

I rather like it for the diagonal graduations. It's 10ths reading and very smooth and accurate, with case similar as shown here:

http://www.longislandindicator.com/p241.html

Is there a way to tell it's year of mfg (and for the chest too)? I'll try posting an actual pic...

[Russ Hanscom]

B&S is/was based in Providence, RI. I have catalogs dating from the 20's and 30's. They claim to have developed the first practical micrometer in 1867.

[Harold_V]

I was under the impression that B&S was a Swiss company,

Likely due to their BesTest indicator, which is made in Switzerland (and is one of the best indicators on the market).
B&S made not only measuring instruments, but an extensive line of precision machines. Their cylindrical grinder was a real treasure, and their surface grinders are quite common.

H

[ctwo]

I see, the Swiss purchase was more recent, in 2001. Yes, my first DTI is a BesTest, at the suggestion of this forum.

I rather like the B&S mic for the graduations are easier to read than my Mits. The other B&S mic was my first micrometer, given to me from the machine shop owner that I worked for in high school. Unfortunately, it had been neglected.

[pete]

B & S is a pale shadow of what it once was that's for sure. They designed and made some top quality and innovative products. For metrology items they were probably equal to Starrett for the amount they made and the quality. I've got a B & S 558 cylindrical square that's unlike any others I know of and because of it's design it allows you to actualy measure just how far something is out. Afaik B & S have now concentrated on building CMM's and most or all of the other products sold with there name today are simply made offshore with European made items like the Bestest and a fair amount of what I'm guessing are rebranded Chinese manufactured items.