Several years ago, I was assigned to write an article about an antiques dealer in the Georgetown area of Washington, DC. His shop was filled with antique corkscrews, and I was fascinated. My few hours spent with the owner had me hooked, a new collection was about to start--------you can read this article here

Armed with a $5 limit per corkscrew, I started my quest. The limitation on price meant diligent hunting, and frequent early early mornings at flea markets. You would be amazed at what five bucks can get you however.

I still believe there are those hidden treasures out there, which keeps me looking. While my price limit has gone up (not by much), I still think the best, and most satisfying, way to build a collection is through the hunt.

So enjoy perusing my collection, this is just a sampling, so if you too are a collector and wish to make a trade, someone who has a corkscrew or two with which you wish to part, or someone that is seeking information about the corkscrews you possess, drop me a line.

It is important to start here, as Samuel Henshall was awarded the first corkscrew patent in 1795. While corkscrews existed prior to this date, Henshall's idea of using a button to facilitate the cork's withdrawal was ingenious. This is a Henshall-type button corkscrew. Originally it had a brush on the side, but it has since gone missing--apparently in corkscrew circles it is okay to replace these bristles with similar, I just haven't found a horse or badger willing to give up a tuft yet.

In 1883 William Bennit was issued U.S. patent # 277,442. This fixed nickel plated brass bell cap corkscrew is marked "Pat. May 15th 1883." Other markings may also be found: "Magic Corkscrew," and the patent date, or (mis)stamped twice with the patent date.

Patented in 1855 this two-piece single lever was made my Lund. This corkscrew works by first screwing in the screw part, and then utilizing the lever to draw the cork out. It is marked "LUND PATENTEE LONDON - THE PATENTEE 24 FLEET ST & 57 CORNHILL LONDON," both on the lever and on the screw. There are several variations on the same theme. I am currently on the hunt for a Tangent Single Lever.... .

In the late 1890's - early 1900's there were several folk milling around Florida with nothing better do to than whittle their time away. Well, more accurately, they were carving old horn, tusk, and ivory, into alligators. Walking stick handles, corkscrews, artist's palette knives, and other usable items were made. The first picture is of a direct pull alligator carving. Made from what looks to be a deer antler, it is signed with a five point star on the bottom of the horn, apparently a symbol that differentiates the carvers of the time. The second alligator corkscrew features a Williamson's 1897 patent bell which may provide some dating to the ivory carving. This one is also carved/painted with "MIAMI, FLA," and features a small sterling accent at the end of the piece. Peter Borrett (loxwoodfc on ebay) deemed the first little guy "mr. snappy," and it kind of stuck. Since I have found two alligator carvings it seems like a new collection is in the making........I would love to find other carved horn corkscrews (alligator or otherwise). Let me know if you have one....

James Heeley & Sons of Birmingham, England patented the "A1" Double Lever in 1888. This one is marked "JAMES HEELEY & SONS, PATENT DOUBLE LEVER, 6006." Heeleys come in copper and in nickel finishes and with various markings. I would love to have one in copper if you have an extra.

Patented in August of 1906, John Hasselbring created the "Baltimore Loop." The loop serves as both a bottle opener and seal cutter, but with a few twists also reveals a threaded corkscrew. This one on the left is marked "sterling" "55" as well as "PAT. 1906." The second Hasselbring, unfortunately, is not a corkscrew, but only an opener. Still it is marked sterling and with the patent date. Every once in a while I give it a twist hoping, but to no avail.

Often times one finds a sterling tip/accent on the end of a horn corkscrew, but these corkscrews feature handles made of sterling. The corkscrew on the was manufactured by the aforementioned John Hasselbring, and utilizes a walker bell to pull a cork. It is marked "STERLING," and with Hasselbring's mark "<JH>," and "25." The corkscrew on the right was made by the Waltrous Manufacturing Company of Meriden, CT and is marked with the maker's mark, as well as, "STERLING," and "NX 35."

Hugh McBride was awarded his 1888 patent (British) for a wire breaker for champagne bottles. It would only make sense then to provide his corkscrew with a champagne-cork-shaped handle. According to the patent drawings there are several variations of this corkscrew, specifically with different worms attached. This one is marked "Dry Monopole" and "PATENT N^O7431," on the sides of the cork, and "HEIDSIECK & CO, REIMS," with a shooting star on the base of the cork.

In 1899 Machil Converse patented a "Cork Extractor," a prong-type cork puller. The one on the left has a nickel sleeve and is marked "PATENTED May 9^th99." The prong puller on the right is unmarked and has a wooden sleeve--Prong puller collector Reinhold Berdnt explained that it is a mid-century French knock off of the Converse patent.

The Syracuse Ornament Company (Syroco) utilized Williamson worms and bells for their corkscrews. The Waiter and Old Codger on the left have removable heads that reveal corkscrews affixed. Although never shown in Syroco catalogs, dog heads atop a waiter or codger bodies tend to show up on ebay, at flea markets, and other old corkscrew hideouts. The White German Shepherd (police dog) set in a Codger's body is one of those mystery mis-pairings... To the right of the dog-headed Codger is the holy grail of Syroco Corkscrews, "The Golden Knight."

The next Syrocos are Pickwick, Laughing Man, and Copperfield and sadly, none were ever given a body. In perusing the old Syroco Catalogs, the the Laughing Man is seen with a direct pull (sans bell) much like the Copperfield to his right. Similarly, the Copperfield has been seen with a bell... Next is a Syroco boxer/bulldog which is in absolutely beautiful condition (the lovely bride named him 'Owen'). Next to 'Owen' a brown German shepherd (police dog).. The last three are smaller syroco direct pulls; a boxer/bulldog, a german shepherd, and stained schnauzer.

There are many different Syroco corkscrews out there, both in form and in paint versus stained finish. If you have any, let me know...

In1802 Sir Edward Thomason was awarded patent # 2617. His mechanism for removing a cork was ingenious; utilizing both male and female threads, the user simply continually twists the handle clock wise--the worm is thereby inserted into the cork, and ultimately draws the cork out of the bottle. This Thomason is unmarked, but is in beautiful condition. I would love to have several more Thomason's as they have many variations.

I am fascinated with the idea of the champagne tap. You drill this thing through the top of the cork, and by turning a valve release as much champagne is needed--why would anyone need less than a whole bottle is beyond me. This first one is marked "Made in France." The next champagne tap is known as the New Century Tap, made by Williamson

This T-corkscrew is marked "L.B. Paris, Depose," The "L.B.," stands for "Le Boullanger," and was one of the first marks used by George Leboullanger & Sons. It dates to about 1873. The depose mark indicates that it was a registered design.

This little folding corkscrew is known as "the dainty." It is marked "VAUGHN, CHICAGO," "PAT'D. APPL'D.," (although no patent was ever awarded) and is an advertising piece for "BLOCK'S LIQUOR HOUSE," ST. JOSEPH, MO."

Patented in 1916, a Nifty corkscrew is a relatively easy find at the local flea market. Used as advertising give-a-ways, they turn up with all kinds of markings. The one pictured here is pretty hard to find, as it is still attached to its original packaging/card. Next to the first Nifty, is a similar one, this time with a leather carrying case.

In 1928 Harding came up with a less expensive, but remarkably similar "nifty-style" corkscrew. These are a little harder to come than the Nifty. Comparing them next to each other the differences are pretty easy to spot. This one is marked "HUYLER'S" and with the patent number.

This is a combination jar wrench, tin opener, and corkscrew marked MASTER EZE OPENER. R.E.COLLIER 957 UMGENI RD. DURBAN PAT 53. 22793 OTHERS PENDING." This is a South African corkscrew, jar wrench, and tin opener. The patent was applied for in 1953 and awarded in 1955 to Reginald Edward Collier.

A flynut corkscrew consists of a handle with a threaded shank and worm, a frame, and a "flynut." The worm is screwed into the cork with the top handle, then the flynut is turned clockwise which draws the cork out. The first flynut is made by Perille, and is marked "J PERILLE DEPOSE PARIS," on one side and "JHP DEPOSE PARIS," on the reverse. The second is unmarked but features a flynut that is freely floating between the handle and frame.

This miniature cocktail shaker is known as the "Bar Baby." Made by Napier (mid-century, I think), it is marked "NAPIER, SILVERPLATE, PAT. PEND." No patent was awarded for this shaker which comes apart to reveal a corkscrew inside. This one has its original box, and instructions.

Roundlet corkscrews unscrew and fit nicely back together hiding the worm. While not necessarily unique (there are many variations of roundlets out there), the one on the left is interesting in that it is silver and marked "F & B STERLING." Next is the Jorres patent of 1900 and is marked "Williamson Co., Newark, NJ, PAT. SEP. 4, 1900." Next is another roundlet made by Williamson, and is in the shape of the bottle. Marked "PAT. JUNE 1 1897 Williamson Co. Newark N.J.," these typically are found with a brass shield attached with an advertisement.

Figural corkscrews come in all shapes and sizes. Elephants with corkscrew trunks, pigs with corkscrew tails, and various other appendages which I am sure twisting in such a fashion would be quite painful. The first is a German fish marked "GERMANY." Next is a early 30's corkscrew pooch marked "PEERAGE" and "ENGLAND." The third corkscrew is a two-headed Viking ship marked on the bottom "0.S.P.40." Two-heads are supposed to be better than one, as far as scarcity, but even more remarkable is that both the tongues are still in tact--in conversation with other collectors, possessing a ship in this condition puts one in an elite club. Therefore, we officially named the club the "two-headed-two-tongued-Viking-ship-corkscrew-club," or 2H2TVSCC for short (you can link to the club's official website here). The fourth figural is a sheath type corkscrew in the shape of a monkey. Simply pull the tail of this simian, which is marked "MONKEY SHINE" on either side, to reveal the corkscrew. Lastly are the much ballyhooed Ross Pigs. These little guys were patented by Howard Ross in 1949. There are several colors of the clover emblazoned swine, and I would love to add a few others to the sty.

In 1948 Marshall McDowell (the other eminem) was awarded a patent for his rack and pinion corkscrew. The aluminum corkscrew is marked "TRADEMARK KORKMASTER PAT. PENDING." McDowell's Korkmaster apparently had an offspring, the "KORKMASTER JR," is similar in design but utilizes a locking handle.

Patented by Samuel Gerson in 1950, the Bar Bum has a hat that is a bottle opener, ears for crushing ice, and pants that are a jigger. Inside the Bar Bum one finds a olive pick, a corkscrew, and a muddler--apparently because he muddles through life somehow. The Bar Bum can also be found in bronze and aluminum finishes.

The "ZIG-ZAG," was patented by Marie Jules Leon Joseph Bart in 1920. French patent #503957. Zig zags can be found with various markings. This one first one is marked "BTE S.G.D.G. FF. & Et, M.& M. DEP." on the disc. On the reverse there is a small circle with a number in it,"38," denoting the date of manufacture as 1938. The original patent was made sans caplifters on the upper arms, they were added in Bart's 1928 patent. The ZIG ZAG on the right is this earlier version. It is marked "BREVETE S.G.D.G., MARQUE ET MODELE DEPOSE, FRANCE, ETRANGER," "MADE IN FRANCE" and "ZIG ZAG" of course.

There are countless waiter's friends-type corkscrews out there. The first one is unique in that it has never appeared before in a publication on corkscrews (thank you Ron MacLean). It is marked ""APOLLO Depose" and is an advertisement for "RICARD." This one is also unique because of the little notch on the caplifter that serves to facilitate the withdrawing of the cork. The second is marked "Graef & Schmidt GERMANY," on one side and "No 131," on the reverse. While looking close to new, this is a great example of the Ernst Steinfeld's 1899 patent.

While vacationing with the lovely bride in Cape May, NJ, I found this horn handled corkscrew with a bulbous onion cork gripper. As your turn the corkscrew, the "teeth" hit the cork, and then facilitate its withdrawal. This is one of my favorites despite its lack of markings. It simply looks cool.

Here are some great corkscrew sites. Don Bull literally wrote the book on corkscrews, his site offers a wealth of information. CorkscrewNet is a great corkscrew site which features information about corkscrew clubs, corkscrew monographs and articles, and recent auction results. Andre Burgos is a dealer in New York who has some wonderful corkscrews for sale. And, of course there is the ubiquitous ebay.