Posted 5 years ago
tshusker
(102 items)
Don't know that much about this Wm. Johnson 7" Wing Divider/Compass, but from what I've been able to gather it dates pre-1938, and, based on the style of locking screw I'd say it's well older than '38. Does anyone have a better guesstimate? I love the brass/steel pivot joint that only showed itself after cleaning.
I can't tell the age but I have seen innumerable similar wing dividers and they usually have a locking thumb-screw with either a solid pad for the grip or a flat, round head such as the one on the fine adjustment nut on your piece. I have also seen many with obviously replaced bolts, etc. due to the locking screw being lost. The one on yours looks like an eye bolt with the head flattened out. Its manufacturing quality does not match the quality of the rest of the divider.
Ship navigational dividers.
If you already know the 1938 date, which you do, then do you probably already know, that C.S. Osborne Co., purchased WM Johnson Co. in this year? Now the question is, did WM Johnson, who continued to make tools at their plant as usual, begin to stamp them with the Osborne name? This is the murky question to be answered. Johnson continued to brand at least some of their tools with their name after the purchase, and up to 1957 as i understand it. Your tool appears to be all original, and in beautiful shape, but i doubt if you ever nail down the exact date it was made. If you can find an old Johnson catalog, then you will have a good shot at getting very close to it though.
I'm 3 years late, but to reply to UncleRon's comment. I own the exact same compass and mine has the exact same locking screw, which leads me to believe that the locking screw is in fact original. Unfortunately I can't tell you anything about the date...