Posted 7 years ago
Rotocane
(3 items)
Part of a gun or part of a Machine? We are looking into old boxes removed from a business in Hartford. Business rented Space from Colt. It's the only piece with the Colt name we've recovered, so far.
Colt Firearms Part? | ||
| Drawings128 of 437 |  |  |
That is absolutely interesting ! Amazing find !
Charles W. Sponsel was a mechanical and electrical engineer, (The Sponsel Company, Hartford, CT) who, in the mid to late 1800's, did some work for the Pratt & Whitney Co, among others. He invented and patented a "rifling machine" for automatic rifling of gun barrels as assignor for Pratt & Whitney in 1891. He also later independently patented a machine for calibrating gun barrells (1917), and a machine for straightening and re-calibrating gun barrells (1917) among many others. He also designed and patented a typewriter, a universal joint, a speed indicator, a braking system, and a machine for inspecting nails, all in the early to mid 1900's.
Much of this would likely explain his connection with Colt Firearms Manufacturing Company in Hartford, CT. It appears this drawing was done in 1880, which also fits the time frame.
Excellent Work Mr. Cassano, that wasn't easy as I was stumped. I was spelling his name incorrectly.
These boxes came from the Atlantic Screw Works between 1875-1901. The Owner of Atlantic Screw Works was Friends with the Colt Family, Colt invited him into the Armory, they were after some of his Screw Threading Machine Patents, I think, still reading the letters, not easy to read. There's over 20k documents here, and they smell very bad. Keeping everything in my unheated -7 detached garage, its cold. I posted a photo of the sign which I received last year, now at the Connecticut State House Library, it hung at Colt Armory West, 1880c.
Thank You Again
Darren E Caney
I just found a Hand Written Patent with Sponsel's name on It, dated 1881. Does this look like a Rilfing Machine? Just added photo.
Or maybe a Screw Threading Machine..As Colt's name is not on it.
It could be a record player, for all I know. I am far from being an engineer. I think you've found a gold-mine.
" Two Turntables and a Microphone"
Beck