Vtg Davis Level & tool Co Carpenter 1800's Machinist Antique Fancy Cast Bubble! Love these old vintage tools!! seem to last forever!! one bubble balancer is broken other ones still have liquid in them chip & crack in tool Beautiful workmanship!! Look great on display for any carpenter/machinist!!!
some info about company
Leonard L. Davis (Davis Level & Tool Co.)
The ornate levels and measuring tools of L. L. Davis and the Davis Level & Tool Company of Springfield, MA, are among the most sought after examples of the florescence of American toolmakers in the second half of the 19th century. There is no direct connection between the Davis family of the Davistown Plantation and Leonard Davis.
The following information is quoted from the DATM (1999, pg. 214).
The Leonard L. Davis Co., started in 1867, "...became the Davis Level & Tool Co. in 1875. Leonard L. Davis was born 21 Feb. 1838 and died 13 Aug. 1907. He had 17 March 1868 and 17 Sept. 1867 patents for inclinometer levels made by this company (but marked with his name only) and the successor. He also had a 31 Aug. 1875 metal plane patent, and a 21 Nov. 1871 level patent; the planes were made, but it is not certain if the level was. (NOTE: Different Davis levels are marked with 17 March 1867 and 17 March 1868 patent dates; documentary sources indicate that only the 1868 date is valid.)"
The Davis Level & Tool Co., (1875 - 1892) "...made inclinometer levels with 29 May 1877 (F.T. Ward & T. Bedworth), 17 Sept. 1867, 17 March 1868, and 22 Sept. 1868 patents; metal planes patented by Charles E. Torrance 2 Jan. 1872; a universal square patented by Joseph C. Marshall 2 Jan. 1877; braces with patent dates of 17 April 1883, 14 Oct. 1884, and 1886 (John Bulen); and a 4 Dec. 1866 R. Hathaway patent combination gauge (also made by J. Stevens & Co.). Davis sold his patent rights to the M.W. Robinson Co. of NY."
selling as pictured.
more than welcome to pick up at shop in butler pa & save shipping.
070925 cg