Wiss Metal Snips

Wiss Metal Snips

7" long

Bought these at a garage sale, late last year for $1. After the pictures, I used a little steel wool and was able to see "Wiss, USA, J 7".

The last image shows a 1961 catalog with similar snips. I believe my snips are pretty old because of the configuration of the stamp. More research will be needed.

WISS
"J. Wiss & Sons Company was founded in 1848 by Jacob Wiss, a thirty-one year old immigrant from Switzerland who was an experienced cutler and gunsmith."

WISS & WWII
"Wiss snips played their part in the manufacture of tanks; shears in the making of uniforms and protective coverings. Pinking shears were used in the manufacture of airplanes. Cuticle scissors were used in the making of radar and radio equipment, as were nail scissors, which, in addition, were often used for bartering with natives in remote parts of the world where the value of American money was not as readily apparent. Curved-blade snips were used in the shipyards; even pruning shears were used for the preparation of poultry for overseas shipment. All kinds of surgical scissors bearing the Wiss name were also much in demand”."