Thread: What's this tool?

Yes. It is termed a "turnscrew". Someone has replaced the handle.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Looks to me like a "London" pattern screwdriver, although I agree with derek that the handle has been replaced. The handle should taper up from the shank for an inch or two, then neck slightly before widening out again into a 2" ball shape. The "ball" was sanded flat on opposing sides to give an overall thickness of about 1 1/4".

I used to use this type of screwdriver to remove/replace steel deck screws in the walkways of ships engine rooms. As it was made from flat bar you could use a spanner on the shank for extra leverage. The handles were often damaged from giving them a hefty wack with a mallet to fully seat them in the screw head.

I'm pretty sure that firms like Footprint still make them.

Here is a link from Google:
Screwdrivers - Autonopedia

This is what a London pattern handle looks like ..



This is what the original turnscrew handle would likely have looked like (I cut this one down for Stanley planes) ...



A more modern version are these ..



Regards from Perth

Derek

Yes it is a London pattern screwdriver as below.

London Pattern

SIZE: Blade: 6 to 12in.
MATERIALS: Blade: steel; Handle: beech.
USE: To drive wood screws and slotted machine screws

The London pattern is a large screwdriver, characterized by its flat waisted blade and beechwood handle with flats on two sides. These flats were probably designed to fit the palm of the hand and also to prevent the driver rolling off the bench. London pattern screwdrivers are not common in the average workshop today. They are normally reserved for the occasional job where considerable torque is required, which can only be supplied by a big screwdriver.

ps besides london pattern chisel handles and screwdrivers there are also london pattern anvils and trowels and probably many more.
Cheers,
JIm

Hi Jim

"London pattern" can refer to the shape of a steel trowel, indeed. However, when London Pattern is used to describe a handle for a chisel (not generally used on a screwdriver except for the one's I posted - because I made them), then a London Pattern looks like this ..



One reference: London Pattern Chisel Handles at The Best Things

The turnscrew is not a "London Pattern" ... certainly not as I have ever heard - do you have references to the contrary?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Two references. One is me. Always knew them as london pattern screwdrivers in Yorkshire (UK) fifty odd years ago.
The other one I just googled and is Screwdrivers - Autonopedia

Cheers,
Jim

As you would know many of the old terms are no longer in common usage. For example people rarely describe the normal cross-pein hammer as a Warrington hammer.
Cheers,
Jim

pps. in a screwdriver london pattern doesn't refer to the shape of the handle but to the tool itself.

Originally Posted by derekcohen

The turnscrew is not a "London Pattern" ... certainly not as I have ever heard - do you have references to the contrary?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek,
The same as a "Panel Plane" is a term used to describe a particular size and type of infill plane, likewise a Scotch Brace and a Lancashire Pattern Saw...there are plenty of these names that SHOULD be preserved, and reserved in use, to describe a particular tool.
That screwdriver with a particular type of handle IS a London Pattern Turnscrew.
See...
Mathieson 1899
Tysack 1908
I have any number of these early catalogs that have the same name for that tool.
I'm more interested in researching and finding out why these names have area specific nomenclature, and if it describes the origin, or some property or quality of the tool. There are various opinions about it, but that's a discussion for another time...and probably not here, by me.

Regards,
Peter

Excellent info from both of you. Thanks!

Learning new things every day.

The question is, can both types be "London Handles"? That does not make sense to me.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Derek,
I think you are finding a difficulty where there isn't one.
London pattern chisel handles and london pattern screwdrivers are very different things. In the latter case the london pattern refers to the whole tool not a particular style of handle.
Cheers,
Jim

Originally Posted by jimbur

Hi Derek,
I think you are finding a difficulty where there isn't one.
London pattern chisel handles and london pattern screwdrivers are very different things. In the latter case the london pattern refers to the whole tool not a particular style of handle.
Cheers,
Jim

....or London pattern....Dovetail....
Regards,
Peter

OK, I can understand that. Thanks.

Regards from Perth

Derek