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PEXTO Braces -  Another Type Study of Sorts
by George Langford

Overall view - Ball bearing chuck

Brace PEXTO-05 - P.S.&W.Co.
Price: $40.00 plus shipping.

Only about 5% of the nickel plating remains, but the steel surface has a pleasant, smooth patina with no pitting.  The pad is lignum vitae; the wrist handle is rosewood.
The spring keeping the crispy jaws together is so symmetrical I think it is original, but I have not seen another like it - the jaws have original grooves cast into the back to accommodate the exact shape of the spring.  Maybe another jaw patent ?  As with all the other alligator jaws in this series, the teeth interlock so as to keep them aligned.
Feb. 19, 1884 Ellrich patent date
This ten-inch-swing brace is in the earliest range, as it has the ratchet housing (left) stamped  with the Feb. 19, 1884 date of the Ellrich ratchet patent.
Chuck's July 9, 1895 Smith patent date
The July 9, 1895 patent date clearly stamped on the shell of the chuck is shown at left.  The ball bearings and the affixing screw are all original.

P.S.&W.Co. trademark stamped on bow:

P.S.&W.Co. trademark on bow
The wrist handle is shown below.
Wrist handle- no screws
Chuck view
Pad view
Chuck off