Civil War Patented Wick Trimmers / SOLD

Description

Civil War Patented Wick Trimmers

A beautiful pair of wick cutters. Made by the W. B Barnard company of Waterville Connecticut, these cutters, have a pat’ed date of Dec. 27, 1864. The wick scissors bent with an upward handle design so one could trim the wick on a candle or lamp. (Information from the American Scissor Stories). On the lower blade there is a small shelf-like addition that would catch the burned wick as it was trimmed off. If the wick was still hot it would stay safely on the lower blade ledge. The cutters are stamped on the cutting edge with W.B. Barn Pat’d Dec 27 186. Some of the letters have been worn or not visible due to area that was stamped. There is black paint on the handles that shows wear from use. They do work and open and close easy. The factory burned in 1872 but was rebuild.

Measuring about 5 ¾” in length from tip of cutters to end of handle. 1 ¾” across the finger holes area. No issues, they are well loved and still functional.

Inventory Number: MIS 316