Vintage Scissors Collecting Guide [History & Values]
[Updated July 2021]
Hi there! I’m so glad you stopped in today. I’m going to be talking about collecting vintage scissors: a little history, some values, and how to display them.
One of my fondest memories of my dear sweet grandmother is of two pair of very long shears hanging on her kitchen wall. You always knew where to find them and God-forbid you forgot to return them to their correct location!
Grandma sometimes had a sharp tongue but always a big heart. I do miss her terribly.
Some Scissor History
During my research, I learned that historians believe the earliest form of scissors were developed in prehistory and would have looked something like the sheep shearers of today.
I picked up this pair of 4″ primitive scissors for $1 at the Gristmill Antique Center where I have my booth. I’m not sure if they are genuine antiques or reproductions. I’m leaning toward the latter, but you never know!
They are certainly similar to cutting tools that would have been precursors to our modern scissors.
Cross bladed scissors as we know them, date to the first century, but they weren’t commonly used until the Middle Ages. Through the 1700’s rivets connected the blades (as seen above), after that, screws.
Each pair of scissors would have been hand-forged from iron until about 1840. After this point, molded steel began to replace the more costly process of making them one pair at a time.
Types of Scissors
Scissors come in all shapes and sizes and and are designed for a variety of different purposes, including to cut hair, paper, fabric, or thread. Seamstresses, gardeners, school children, medical professionals, and regular people use them every day. We’d be lost without them!
Scissor Parts
Collecting Vintage English Scissors
Because of its large iron ore deposits, Sheffield (England) was a mecca, as early as 1160, for cutlery production. By the mid-1800’s, over 100 cutlery manufacturers operated out of Sheffield, filling an eager market with high quality knives and scissors.
1. The first pair of scissors (top) is marked “I. Mars, Sheffield” along with a crown and the letters “V” and “R,” which stand for Victoria Regina, or Queen Victoria.
Items marked with a royal seal were akin to a stamp-of-approval from the monarch, letting buyers know the high value of such well-constructed items.
The shape is certainly very interesting and the blades are held together with rivets, which usually indicates an older pair. Another clue to their age: after 1877, Queen Victoria added an “I” to her mark because she had become Imperatrix, or Empress, of India.
*NOTE: Seth, a very helpful reader, informed me in the comments below that these are “bookbinder” scissors. They are designed to cut through heavy materials like leather. Thanks for the assist Seth!
2. Richards of Sheffield: In 1930, the Richartz brothers, who hailed from Solingen (Germany), opened what would be the largest cutlery factory in Sheffield.
Before WWII, they anglicized their name to “Richards,” which you can see engraved on the scissors next to the rivet (above). The Imperial Knife Company in America bought them out in 1977, but the plant closed about ten years later.
3. Carl Monkhouse: The hair cutting scissors (in the first illustration above) are signed “Carl Monkhouse, Sheffield, England” on one side and “Reblade, Alleghany, NY” on the other.
They serve as a good example of what I call a hybrid scissor. Monkhouse, a German cutler, immigrated to the US and established a cutlery company in Alleghany. There, he used blades imported from Sheffield to craft these scissors.
Collecting Vintage German Scissors
Solingen (Germany), perhaps Sheffield’s most serious rival, also had a fine reputation as a source of quality cutlery. In fact, it was known in Northern Europe as the “City of the Blades,” and it remains the cutlery center of Germany to this day.
Interestingly, I read on Wikipedia, that a band of sword-smiths from the city broke their “guild oath” in the late 1600’s and took their skills and technology with them to England(!).
Wasa, Solingen
These embroidery scissors, marked “WASA Solingen” are delicately decorated and lovely to cut with.
WASA refers to a particular company in Solingen that has been manufacturing scissors for at least a century.
Germany
Aren’t these the darlingest?!! Marked simply “Germany,” this tiny 1 1/4″ pair with molded bunny decoration sold from my antique booth in 2019 for $15.
Solingen, Germany, KB Extra, Krusius Bros.
Scissor manufacturers, like Krusius Bros. of Solingen often used stork motifs for their embroidery scissors. Krusius Bros. began using its “KB Extra” mark, which I found on this pair, in 1901.
The company began operations in 1886 and didn’t close until 1983.
Western Shear Co./Germany
This dainty, 2 1/2″ pair, likely used for embroidery, is one of my favorites. I love its curves and how over-sized its finger holes appear.
They are marked “Germany” on one side and “Western Shear Co.” on the other. Another pair of hybrid scissors made in Germany, distributed in the U.S.
Westfield Shear Co./Germany
Here you see a pair of folding scissor signed “Westfield Shear Co, Germany”–another hybrid with blades from Germany and distribution by an American company.
Collecting Vintage American Scissors
Not surprisingly, immigrants from both Sheffield (UK) and Solingen (GER) were primarily responsible for establishing the first cutlery businesses in America.
Connecticut’s Naugatuck Valley, Newark (NJ), and Fremont (OH) became centers for scissor production in this country (American Scissors & Shears: An Antique & Vintage Collector’s Guide).
Clauss Shear Company, Fremont, OH
German brothers John and Henri founded the Clauss Shear Company in Fremont (OH) in 1877 (initially as the Elyria Shear Works).
After a devastating fire, followed by a rebuild, they changed the name to Clauss Shear Company and became one of the world’s largest scissor manufacturers. They are still in business.
Wiss, Newark, NJ
Wiss may be a name you recognize in scissors and shears, due in part to the fact that early in the 20th century they ranked #1 in world scissor production.
In 1847 Jacob Wiss immigrated to Newark and opened a shop where he began forging scissors and shears. He would provide the US government with scissors and other medical implements during the Civil War.
Currently owned by the Apex Tool Group, Wiss scissors are still in production.
Schnefel Bros., La Cross of Newark, NJ
The mark on this pair of scissors reads “Schnefel Bros. Germany” on one side and “La Cross, Newark, NJ” on the other. La Cross, of course, is a name most of us know and love, but why is “Germany” engraved on the same pair?
The Schenfel brothers, who founded their company in New Jersy in 1903, had extensive experience manufacturing and dealing in cutlery since they had been raised in the industry in their home city of Solingen (Germany).
In 1931, they filed a trademark for the La Cross brand and began producing nail and cuticle implements. Today you can easily find the brand in almost any drug store in America. Del Laboratories owns the division, which it integrated into its Sally Hansen line in 1994.
Griffon Cutlery Works
The sole mark on this pair of small scissors, “Griffon,” led me to the year 1888, when Albert Silberstein founded Griffon Cutlery Works in NYC, first on Broadway, then 5th Avenue.
At 151 West Street in NYC, you can still see the remains of a sign painted on a brick exterior, advertising “Griffon Shears & Scissors.”
Notably, Griffon Cutlery maintained an outlet in Solingen (Germany), leading me to think that Silberstein likely emigrated to the US with a strong background in scissor and knife manufacture.
Are They Scissors or Shears?
I learned while preparing this post that scissors measuring 8″ or more should technically be referred to as “shears.” Therefore, this blue handled pair are not scissors, they are shears.
In additions, shears will have one finger hole larger than the other.
In my scissor/shears-buying experience, I have come across many unmarked examples, like this pair of 10″ shears. I love their proportions, with its blades that seem to go on forever.
How to Collect Vintage Scissors
A beginning scissor collector could focus on a brand, a city of manufacture, or even a color(!).
Or you could focus on function. For example, a diverse collection of school scissors in a rainbow of colors would make a fun collection.
If space is an issue for you, you may consider collecting folding scissors–a fascinating little collectible. The pair on the left are marked “Hong Kong,” while those on the right, “Germany.”
Dainty embroidery scissors offer another option for those with space concerns. Who can resist a pair of scissors shaped like a stork??
On the other hand, you could follow my example and buy every pair you come across that’s priced under a dollar 🙂 In which case, you’ll end up with a very eclectic, but thoroughly enjoyable, collection.
Vintage Scissor Values
All of the examples you’ve seen today are part of my personal collection. It’s kind of an accidental one that has taken on a life of its own, LOL.
Scissors and shears like these can typically be purchased for 50¢ to $1.00 at garage and estate sales and are worth between $5-20.00 apiece. Expect to pay $20-100 or more for antique, ornate, or Sterling silver examples.
How to Display Your Vintage Scissor Collection
I store many of my scissors and shears by standing them upright in a flower frog, like this clear glass one. This works with cage-type frogs, too.
You can also display them in a vintage frame, as you see here. I have framed several pair and sold them from my booth at the annual Christmas craft show I participate in every year. They sell quite nicely.
Attach them to a backing using a dab of hot glue and when you change your mind, the glue will be easy to peel off.
Scissors in Popular Culture
Alfred Hitchcock directed movies that involved any number of different murder weapons. But he once said, “A murder without a gleaming pair of scissors is like asparagus without hollandaise sauce.”
Who doesn’t remember the nightmare-inducing Edward Scissorhands?? Not because it was so scary but because scissors for hands are horrifying!
And finally, I learned a new-to-me superstition that says dropping a pair of scissors can lead to bad luck, and under NO circumstances should you pick said scissors. Ask someone else to do it for you or you’ll suffer MORE bad luck.
Fortunately for me, I don’t believe in luck, good or bad 🙂
One of the perks of collecting scissors is that they are a relatively small collectible, even if you include larger pairs in your collection. Therefore, they don’t threaten to overtake your home, as perhaps ironstone or artwork could.
Little historical artifacts, scissors have a story to tell about industry, culture, style, and even genealogy, if you are fortunate enough to have inherited a pair or two from an ancestor.
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Sources:
The Cutting Edge: Antique Scissors
American Scissors and Shears
Related Blog Posts:
Love this!
Thanks Rita!
Hello Diana. I was searching to find out more about old scissors and came across your articles. Quite interesting and enjoyable. I wonder if you have come across a tie clip scissor (the one I have is quite small) but would possibly make a nice gift to an upcoming surgeon.
Also I cannot make out all of the markings on the scissors. But I have about 9 pair medical precision scissors and a few medical precision tweezers. My husband had a lab and worked on SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). He was not a surgeon but a researcher and medical investigator. He is from a long line of medical doctors and the scissors I have belonged to his ancestors.
Any suggestions on how to pass them on to a surgeon or medical professional who might enjoy them? I am quite elderly now and do not have anyone to pass them along to.
Thanks again for your writings.
Joyce-Lynn
I know this comes late, but on chance you see this – most medical schools have little history areas, and even those that do not frequently display historical medical artifacts in display cases throughout the schools. It was always a pleasure to walk by those as a medical student – it took me away from the rigors of studying and allowed a moment of reflection on our shared medical traditions.
Very interesting to know David–thanks for passing on that info!
The sell on eBay these days. I know the feeling, you have lots of things you value and you don’t want to discard them but make sure someone will get them who also appreciated them.
A thought on storage of scientific, if not only surgical scissors, and tweezers. I had a dissection kit at school and college for my anatomy lessons, and it was kept in a ‘roll up’ easy to make. Cut an outer oblong of fabric (canvas), as wide as the tools are long, and a narrower one to cover the blades. Sew together, aligning one long edge, with edges bound, and sew channels in the double layers to accept the tools. Put tapes at centre of one short edge, fill, roll up and voila!
I made some in thick corduroy to store my father’s collection of wrist watches.
Great idea Bella! Thanks for sharing it with us. It could work for other special collectibles, too 🙂
I have a few pairs I have from my grandfather (who came from Germany) and one in particular I can’t even figure out what it is? Can I email you a picture and see if you could tell me? You seem to know a lot and even my Google search gives me nothing?
I thought your article was very interesting:)
Due to the high number of requests, I’m unable to help readers identify or value their heirlooms. I do hope you find the answers you’re looking for Mary.
this has been fascinating Diana! thankyou for sharing your knowledge & collection! I’ve only just begun collecting – because I love old things, and because they’re usually the best quality for me.
it’s much fun restoring and using them too .. few weeks ago I found a pair of Bleckmann Solingen German scissors in a very old leather clad box with very old cotton threads on wooden spools. my heart glowed – as I’m sure you’d understand. anyway, thankyou again for this thoroughly interesting post. warmly, Janine 🌿
I’m so glad you enoyed the post Janine! What an amazing discovery in that old leather box. I do understand completely the joy of making such a find 🙂
Thank you for all the research you put into this. It was a great lesson; now I will be a lot more aware of bargain scissors as ones in antique stores are always rather pricey! Somewhere I have my mother’s hair cutting scissors and pinking shears; it’s a start on a collection!
Glad you enjoyed it, Kathy! I think your mother’s scissors make the perfect start 🙂
Thank you! Very interesting and informative. I will look at them in a different light from now on. I did not know about the distinction between scissors and shears either.
Glad I could pass on some good information to you, Karen!
Actually, I have always been drawn to look at scissors and at pinking shears. I used to do a lot of crafts with paper and have several ones that have a decorative cut. I once had some old embroidery scissors in several styles, one I remember was like a bird and it’s long beak I think. Making me want to collect them! 😊
Diana, I love scissors. Your post last year with the scissors in a frame inspired me to look closer at estate sales for scissors. I have been picking them up as I found them ( cheap) and holding on to them. As a sewing person I have always believed good scissors were necessary to the craft, but I now just like looking at old scissors for their beauty. Thanks for the lesson, I’ll have to check the manufacturer on the ones I’ve found and using a glass flower frog to put them in is genius! As usual you are an inspiration.
Aww, you’re so sweet and encouraging, Laura–thank you!
I love this post Dianna! Scissors are something I can never seem to walk away from at a garage sale. My sisters and I sold many pair of vintage scissors all shapes and sizes on our Etsy shop. They seem to be a favorite for a lot of us!
Thanks again for your very informative articles!
Jeri
You’re so welcome Jeri! Glad you enjoyed the post and that you share my love for simple things, like a pair of scissors 🙂
I love how you displayed them in the frogs.
Question: Do you have any tips for removing any rust on the blades?
Thanks Janice! Try rubbing them with some white vinegar and see if that works. If not, use some fine steel wool. It can be tricky, particularly if there are tiny crevices. Let me know how it goes 🙂
You have a wonderful collection, Diana! I love how you displayed them in the frogs, too!
Thanks, Linda 🙂 Those frogs are handy!
You have made me want to look at all the old scissors I have and make them a ‘collection’. I always take them from estate sales and friends or family getting rid of them. Just never thought to display them but now I will. A collection I didn’t know I had! Thank you!!!
I’m so glad to give some inspiration, Linda! I hope you post a pic once you pull them out and start displaying them 🙂
Thank You Diana! Wonderful work!
You’re welcome, Barb–thanks!
This was so interesting to read. Thank you for the education!
You’re welcome, Donna, and thank you 🙂
A very interesting and informative post, Diana. I am off and running to find my first pair of scissors or shears to begin my collection! Actually, I probably won’t even have to leave my house to find them! I also p inned the photo with the shears ( scissors?–can’t remember) and the rose making a new category on my Pinterest page. So thanks for the inspiration! I really needed another item to collect! Ha, ha! But these are so small, right? It’ll be okay.
It’s such a blessing to inspire!! And such a kind compliment, Naomi. I should have mentioned that an additional benefit of collecting scissors is of course their immense usefulness. No searching for that solo pair, you have multiple pairs at your finger tips 🙂 Thanks for the pin!!
Diana, you are always a wealth of information. As a sewer, I share your interest in wooden spools, buttons, and scissors. I certainly don’t lack in either. I have scissors of all sizes, new and old. Now I will have to dig them out and check for their markings. Thanks for sharing.
Ooh, I look forward to hearing what you find, Rita! I’m glad I could pass on some new-to-you info 🙂
I too collect all those. I also collect button hooks and boxes, and pincushions. I feel like I’m with my grandmother again. Comforting.
You like them too?!! So great to hear Cathy 🙂 I agree, I find anything connected with my grandmother to be comforting also.
I enjoyed seeing your scissor collection. It is one collection that I haven’t started but hey its never too late!
You’re right about that, Sharon–never too late!
Thanks Diana- that was fun to see and learn about your scissor collection- I will have to tune into the scissors I have and ones that I might have passed by…now I will pay closer attention to their detail and history. Love how you display them.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Terry 🙂
What a wonderful and informative post Diana! You have some great examples and clever ways to display them, (going to steal the one with the scissors in a glass floral frog). I use small embroidery scissors when I’m machine sewing and they tend to get lost or worse, fall of the table, which can damage them. So, containing them in a frog will be most helpful and decorative when the sewing project is done.
I think you’ll love using a flower frog to hold your scissors, Mickie! Glad I could pass on a helpful idea 🙂
Diana, I’m a scissor collector too! My scissors are mostly antique sewing scissors picked up at antique markets in England or France and some here in the US. I started out with collecting sewing notions, but eventually just concentrated on scissors and needle cases since I do needlepoint, embroidery, and couted cross stitch. Clever idea to display them in the flower frogs. Most of mine or in cups so I can enjoy the diffeent shapes and details. Fun post. Thanks for sharing.
Okay I want to start one now! So much info, so many cool scissors! Each for $1.00 or less? Even better! I’m now officially on the hunt! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm ~ Pinned! xo Kathleen
Any idea where I can find out what a pair of scissors is worth? I have an old pair of small scissors marked “Broadway Dept Stores” with slogans “Don’t Worry” and “Watch Us Grow”, and impressions of Washington and Lincoln. I can’t seem to find anything online.
Hi Joan–your scissors sound fascinating. You might want to join my Facebook group–Your Vintage Treasures. It’s filled with fellow vintage lovers and we all help each other out with identification and valuations. I hope to see you over there!
I have had the most wonderful time reading & traveling through this site & am tickled. You have such great talent & thank you for sharing.
Well aren’t you a sweetheart, David! Thanks so much for commenting and letting me know how much you’re enjoying my blog–that means so much 🙂
I was hoping to find an embroidery scissors in your collection that would help me identify the pair I just inherited. They came in a wooden boat shaped box. The bottom of the box is deep blue velvet, the top of the box is a silk pin cushion.
There is a place for a thimble at the pointed end of the box which would protect the pointed end of the scissors inside the thimble. Just above the screw holding the scissor blades together are two shore birds stamped into the metal.
Any idea how I can find the manufacture to identify these scissors would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Hi Nancy! Your scissors sound lovely. I have a Facebook group (Your Vintage Headquarters) filled with vintage-lovers who share their finds/collections and talk about vintage “stuff.” Feel free to join it and post some photos of your scissors and we’ll do our best to help you out.
Robert Klaas could be the manufacturer. A company from Solingen
Hello, I have a pair of unique Magnetic scissors but I cannot find much info period on them. Do you know anything about Magnetic scissors? They appear to be hand-tooled steel.
i also have a pair of embroidery scissors with magnetic blades, i believe it is to retrieve dropped pins and needles. i love mine, an early estate sale (1980ish) fifty cent find!
Yes! You’re right, Laura. 50 cents! Great find 🙂 Thanks for dropping by–
Hi,
I have an old family pair of 6″ made in Germany Krusius straight narrow scissors. The scissors are in good shape but the screw is too loose and seized.
I believe it is a 3mm slotted oval head screw. I am considering drilling out the screw but need to have a replacement to determine the thread pitch to get the correct tap size.
I would like to purchase a screw, even an old pair of scissors, for it. I would appreciate any help. Thank you, Vern T
Hi Vern. Your scissors sound interesting. Your best bet to find a replacement screw would probably be to look on Etsy or eBay. Good luck!
Hi again,
Thank you for your suggestion. I did try that once already and have not lucked out yet. Apparently the biggest issue is the “size of the scissor” the people think they have. I found that the 6″ overall length German scissors takes a different size screw from that of a 6-1/2″.
I just may have to give up on the old guys>
Thanks again,
vern T
Thank you for such a wonderful post and the time you put into researching all of this. I have a small 3” pair with a mark that’s difficult to read, but I think it says Holler. Have you heard of that company?
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post Molly! I wasn’t familiar with this company, but I did a quick google search and learned that J.S. Holler & Co. was a “cutlery” company in NYC that dealt in scissors and knives. I believe much of their inventory was imported from Solingen, Germany. Here’s a interesting article: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1061776
Thank you so much. My own quick Google search was not as fruitful!
What is the scissor company’s name that has crossed palm trees as a logo?
Hi Bobby! unfortunately, I’m not familiar with that logo.
Any idea what numbers stamped on each part of the scissor means? On one is stamped 12 2 and on the other is stamped 15 9. In each case the first number is over the second..
I’ll send you a picture via email if that helps..
It’s one of those things that’s difficult to google as you end up getting a lot of bible verse references.
Hi Larry. I’m not sure what you’re referring to exactly. It would be great if you could post photos in my FB group (Your Vintage Headquarters). That way I or another member of the group may be able to help you out 🙂
I have a pair of hot drop forged scissors made in Italy with a king’s head logo on them. I want to fix them but I can’t seem to find any information on them. The screw is loose and the blades don’t make contact anymore. They were self sharpening I think. Can you help me figure out who made them?
I’m so sorry Kayla, I’m unfamiliar with that brand. As far as restoring your scissors go, you might want to check Yelp (in your area) and look for a knife sharpening business. They will likely be able to help you or direct you. Good luck!
Awesome post! The odd pair (I. Mars Sheffield) with the blunt tip are bookbinders scissors – as a beginner bookbinder I always look for antique pairs to use or restore. Love all this!
Glad you enjoyed the post Seth and thanks SO much for the helpful identification!!
Hi, very cool and informative site. I’m trying to gauge/guess a year for a pair of very old barber’s scissors made by solingen.
Above “solingen”, is another word or name and it’s mostly worn away but the fist three letters are clearly “Cha” and the name is longer than Solingen because they appear to be centered and the C is a bit to the left of the S in Solingen. Under Solingen, is “Germany” exactly centered as well. If you would like to email me I can attach photos.
Thanks very much!
Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with any companies starting with the letters “Cha,” Mike. It can be nearly impossible to identify or date many scissors, especially without the company name. Wish I could be of more help–
I have have some antique scissors that are very sharp and have an inscription like utoz or otoz down the blade. They also have some Asian writing on them. They have large steel handles and look like they are held together with copper and steel. Very unusual.
Hi Cheryl–they sound like fascinating scissors. Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with any companies that look/sound like the words you’ve written. An antique seller who specializes in Asian collectibles would likely be able to tell you what language the writing is in. That would be a good clue for you to move forward with. Good luck!
Wow, what a wonderful collection. Now i must get mine out and display them in a flower frog. Thank you for all the wonderful information.
Glad you enjoyed the post Ruth! I’d love to see a photo of your collection some day Ruth 🙂
I might be the only Shear/scissor collector . I can’t find any Forums or collector group anywhere on the net except this very fine site! I have some sail maker shear 16 inches long and would like to have them restored but ~~~~goose eggs everywhere ! Please advise
thanksDiana
I wish I had some secret, inside info for you Mike, but unfortunately, I don’t! I think it’s time for you to start a group 🙂 As far as repairing your shears goes, I’d google knife sharpening in your area because typically knife sharpeners know a thing or two about scissors. Good luck!
Your information is very timely for me. I started collecting antique/vintage scissors after finding a couple of pairs at an Estate sale online. Also had bought flower frogs so it was a perfect idea to combine them for displaying & use on my sewing table. Always can find inspiration with your posts. Whether I collect or sell, it has been such helpful & fun to read.
Yay! That’s so fun Cheryl–a perfect marriage 🙂 Glad you’re finding some inspiration in my posts–that makes my day!!
I recently found a pair of Marks Solingen, Germany scissors with #503 on the backside. They are very well worn. 8 inches long. Looks to be a wild sort of art deco design with some red and black inlays. The gold? is pretty much worn off. Might you know any information about this pair of scissors? You have a very informative website.
What a great article, Diana! So informative and easy to read. I have a pair of scissors that I think is from the 1920’s. It has ornate handles and is made by Eversharp from forged steel (USA). One of the blades is imprinted with “New York World’s Fair” and has what I assume is that year’s World”s Fair logo. I’ve been able to find the scissors online, but not any that say New York World’s Fair. Wondering if you know anything about it.
Hi,
Great article. I have a pair of my grandfathers hair scissors. It is hard to read but one side says made in germany and other appears to say Solingen. They are still so sharp. I was wondering if scissors were blued like firearms. Thanks,
Steve
Was hoping you could tell me why a vintage scissors I have has a little metal ball at the end point of one of the blades which is also longer than the other blade?
Just wanted to comment on the wonderful article you wrote. I have about 50 pair of scissors I’ve collected from years of estate and garage sales and are just now letting them go on Ebay. The information you gave was very helpful.
That means a lot Jo! Good luck with your sales on eBay 🙂
What an interesting post! I bought a very old house and found a pair of old shears with “Kut Well” engraved in them. Have you ever heard of this?
I’ve not come across them in my wanderings Jan. There are so many makers and distributers out there!
I found a pair of 10 inch Clauss shears at an antique store. It says no 1700. I’ve searched everywhere and cant find out what that number means. Can you help?
Hi Debbie! My guess is that it’s a model number.
Hello my name is Brandon I stumbled upon this site while trying to find the value of some ever sharp vintage scissors that I have that are engraved and have what seems to be a piece of plastic on the hinge screw that seems to also be made of brass I’m going to leave my email if anyone could help me out and give me more information on these years that I have I’ll send some pictures if you email me thanks for any information given appreciate it
Greetings from Flint Michigan USA.
Your site has lots of useful information.
I bought a pair of vintage Claus scissors. They are beautifully made and work really well.
Plus they were made in Ohio which makes me happy.
I recently purchased Four pair that are inscribed only with the following words: 511C 8″ Forged Steel Made In Italy.
It seems strange they went through all the trouble of inscribing them, but left off the company name.
What can you say about the Italian scissors in general?
American distributors of scissors would buy wholesale shipments from various countries and then stamp their business name on them. Perhaps your pair slipped through the cracks? It may also be the case that they were sold wholesale within country to direct sellers (like hardware or sewing stores) who had no ability to stamp their own name on them. Just a couple of guesses.
Great article on scissor/shear collecting, learned a lot and enjoyable to read about the manufacturing of them.
I have 2 pair of wallpaper shears from my mother in law. They are nearly 13 inches long and stamped I.P.HYDE SOUTHBRIDGE MASS
The blades themselves are 12” so does that mean they are 12” shears?
Thanks for the wonderful article on something we could never be without.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the article Ann! Sounds like you have some interesting shears. Unfortunately, I’m not really sure how they were measured for advertising/selling purposes.