Dating C&P O.S. Pilot Presses
This topic has been discussed several times, but I’d like to consolidate all of the threads that I’ve read through before, as well as come to some definitive answers if possible. These are included at the bottom. I plan on making a chart that outlines differences in presses that help us recognize their age.
What I would like, from everyone that has a C&P Oldstyle Press, is photos of your presses that show specific identifiers, and what you know about them. What I “know” at this point is:
The oldest pilots have fluted arms, which is a good indicator of the 1st generation presses. These also are missing the locking nuts, and have a square set screw to hold the lever in place.
an example from bdicharry can be found here. This also shows arms with enclosed ends, held in by a screw as Tom from T&T has mentioned in other posts.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dicharry/2765993745/in/album-7215760675126...
The next generation have a solid arms. They are also missing locking nuts. My press has springs instead, between the platen bolt head and platen. Has a square set screw holding the lever in place. I have one of these, and I will post a photo below.
At some point, a locking nut is added. This may also be a part added by printers, and not the manufacturer. I have not seen an example verified as being from the factory this way.
It has been said that at some point, the “Pilot” making on the press eventually disappears. This is referenced in this post, but I have not seen an example of an Old Style without the pilot marking. http://www.briarpress.org/46553
Stephanie Kossmann states, however, that the “Pilot” on the castings is a later addition, and signifies it being a later model closer to new style.
Some time after, there is a change to the nameplate. It goes from being straight to curved. An example is found here.
http://www.briarpress.org/25177
We also know that in 1914 the New Style press was introduced, but it’s not apparent (to me) that this is when they stopped selling the Old Style press. The APA page for pilot presses states that the presses were updated in 1950, but it does not say what this means exactly, whether it’s the switch to new style or a different casting update.
http://www.briarpress.org/25177
http://www.briarpress.org/32910
http://www.briarpress.org/46553
†Much of this research comes from Ink Spot (Tom) and Dicharry (Brad) in previous posts.
*We can get all of the “Dating a Pilot Press” Jokes out as well*
Teikaut, what about Pilot clones? Are you interested in those as well? We have an American Printing Equipment Pilot clone that I’m told was manufactured by Hohner in West Germany in the ’70s or ’80s.
—
Michael Hurley
Titivilus Press
Memphis, TN