- This topic has 9 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 1 month ago by
.
-
Posts
-
-
I picked up this industrial press at an auction and can’t find much of anything on it. Thought someone here might have some insight. It is a Williamson Special industrial press of some type. I was actually able to find a sold listing on Worthpoint that called it a tobacco plug press, but no other information anywhere. To me it doesn’t really fit with that description and is nothing like any tobacco press I can find. I already have it listed but feel like I’d have a better chance selling it if I could confirm its use.
Here is a pic:
I added a video to my eBay listing. You can see it here: Vintage Williamson Special Press Tobacco Plug Industrial Cast Iron | eBay
-
When I google “tobacco plug press”, I see lots of videos where guys are making dense plugs from tobacco: https://www.google.com/search?q=tobacco+plug+press&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS616US617&oq=tobacco+plug+press&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i390l5j69i61.357j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_aji6YsP4Loni5NoP5fWAwA03
I guess it’s a way to preserve it?
-
It’s part of the process of making tobacco; after boiling the leaves in a molasses solution they’re compressed into a block and then shredded to produce the final smoking mixture. The impetus for doing this in the UK is that you could legally make 28 lb of tobacco per year for your own consumption tax-free.
-
-
Yes, I’ve found lots of information about creating tobacco plugs, but I’m not finding anything that supports the idea that this is a tobacco press beyond the listing that sold on eBay in 2018 for $275, at least according to Worthpoint. Antique WILLIAMSON SPECIAL Tobacco Plug Press RARE Cast Iron | #1978247018 (worthpoint.com)
Not big enough for cans but would be a fine nutcracker.
I’m thinking it was used in an assembly line process for pressing two connecting parts together.
-
“Antique used condition” 🙂 There’s a Worthpoint listing for a Brown and Williamson plug cutter. The Wiki article on that company here mentions another company run by Robert Lynn Williamson’s father, which manufactured chewing tobacco.
-
It’s a nutcracker.
Though when yours was manufactured it was “patent pending”, it was eventually awarded a patent:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US2506822A/en
-
-
“You are amazing” I second that!
“…permit the dealer to crack nuts in the presence of the customer. The nuts are cracked as individuals […] The quantity production per unit of time is materially less than that secured under power drive conditions, but is compensated by the customers ability to visually inspect the cracking of his purchased nuts. ”
-
I particularly like this section: “The principal object of the invention is to provide in small and compact form a relatively simple, practical and efficient nut cracker of the kind referred to, the same being constructed of few parts and of light weight, and hence especially adapted for use in the home, or in confectioneries and stores, as occasion may require.”
It’s made of cast iron and weighs almost 13 pounds. I guess perception of size and weight is relative to the times.
Thanks again. Not sure if this information makes it more or less valuable, but at least I can update my description for accuracy and help it sell.
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.