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Post date: 15-Jun-2014 00:16:08
This screwdriver, one of perhaps six models made by the Decatur Coffin Company of Decatur Illinois USA turns clockwise on the down stroke and remains static on the up, meaning that it is only automatic when driving screws.
The humorous story associated with this spiral screw driver, was that it was considered appropriate for screwing down the lids of coffins because only turning automatically in one direction, there was not normally any need to open a coffin once it was closed.
Patented by Christopher H Olson on 7th October 1884 this screw driver is unusual, also, in that the spiral mechanism is not cut into the shank as is, for example, the "Yankee" screwdriver but rather in the tube that contains the shank.
Decatur Coffin Co screw driver extended and retracted.
To say that this tool can only be used in the clockwise direction is not strictly true as it can be used as a conventional screw driver to withdraw screws.
Retracted the driver measures 320 mm (12 1/2 in), its extended length is 495 mm
(19 1/2 in). Each stroke gives 3 1/3 turns.
The example shown here has the words "DECATUR COFFIN CO. DECATUR ILL'S. PAT OCT 7- 1884." engraved around the lower end of the brass tube.
Page one of C H Olson's 1884 patent.
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