Tool · Watchmaker's tools & bench

Swiss brass and steel wheel cutting engine retailed by L.H. Keller and Company

Partially verified

According to the auction catalogue, this Swiss brass and steel wheel cutting engine was retailed by L.H. Keller and Company of New York circa 1900. It features a locking pivot cutter arbor frame designed for angled cutting of verge crown wheels, positioned on a lever-operated vertical slider with depth stop adjustment. The tool incorporates an enclosed 7.25-inch reversible index plate with dividing rings on both sides, supported by a box frame resting on three down-curved iron feet. The detent arrangement was modified by previous owner Dr. John A. Robey to advance the index plate between stops on an added quadrant track.

Swiss brass and steel wheel cutting engine, retailed by L.H. Keller and Company, circa 1900 — Dreweatts. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: auctions.dreweatts.com
Category: Tool · Watchmaker's tools & bench
Form: Wheel cutting engine
Maker / attribution: L.H. Keller and Company (retailer)
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 622
Source-reported date: circa 1900
Source-reported place: Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Construction and Design

The tool is composed of brass and steel, featuring a box frame supported by three down-curved iron feet that are pierced for bench mounting. It includes a central vertical arbor to support work with a steady bracket above. A cutter arbor frame is fitted with a locking pivot, intended for angled cutting of verge crown wheels, and is positioned on an up-down lever-operated slider with an adjustable stop, including an optional lever override.

The frame is stamped with an oval 'LHK & c' trademark. The device is associated with L.H. Keller and Company of New York, a supplier of horological tools recorded in trade literature as active from 1853 until after 1915.

Evidence for this section

“box frame enclosing the 7.25 inch reversable index plate”
“The cutter arbor frame set via a locking pivot to allow angled cutting of verge crown wheels”
“on three down curved iron feet pierced for fixing to the workbench”
“the frame stamped with oval LHK & c trademark.”

Index Plate and Mechanism

The engine utilizes a 7.25-inch reversible index plate. One side features twenty dividing rings ranging from 51 to 366, while the reverse side features nineteen rings annotated from 52 to 365.

The index detent arrangement has been modified from its original state. The current setup utilizes an adjustable pivoted detent fixed to the center of the index arbor, with movement restricted between two adjustable stops set on a quadrant track extending from the rear of the frame.

Evidence for this section

“box frame enclosing the 7.25 inch reversable index plate, one side with twenty dividing rings ranging from 51 to 366 and the other side with nineteen annotated 52 to 365”
“located by a modified arrangement of adjustable pivoted detent fixed to the centre of the index arbor with movement restricted between two adjustable stops set on a quadrant track issuing from the rear of the frame”

Condition and Provenance

The engine was used in the workshop of Dr. John A. Robey until recently. It is described as being in working condition without evidence of wear or play in the pivots.

Steel components exhibit light surface corrosion. The modifications to the index detent arrangement are explicitly attributed to Dr. John A. Robey.

Evidence for this section

“The wheel-cutting engine was set-up and in use in John Robey’sworkshop until relatively recently”
“There is some light surface corrosion to some of the steelwork”
“The present lot has been modified by John Robey to enable efficient advancing of the index plate”

Open research questions

To what extent do the modifications performed by Dr. John A. Robey impact the historical value of the engine versus its utility as a workshop tool?
Are there specific maintenance protocols recommended for addressing surface corrosion on 19th-century steel horological tools without causing damage?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Swiss brass and steel wheel cutting engine retailed by L.H. Keller and Company
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Retailer	L.H. Keller and Company, New York	“RETAILED BY L.H. KELLER AND COMPANY, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1900”
Plate Size	7.25 inch reversible plate	“box frame enclosing the 7.25 inch reversable index plate”
Dividing Rings	Twenty rings (51 to 366) and reverse nineteen (52 to 365)	“one side with twenty dividing rings ranging from 51 to 366 and the other side with nineteen annotated 52 to 365”
Markings	Stamped with oval LHK & c trademark	“the frame stamped with oval LHK & c trademark.”
Dimensions	Frame 25.5 cm; overall 38 cm long, 28 cm wide, 33 cm high	“Length of frame 25.5cm (10ins); 38cm (15ins) long overall, 28cm (11ins) wide, 33cm (13ins) high.”
Provenance	The Dr. John A. Robey collection	“The Dr. John A. Robey collection of early weight-driven clocks and related items.”
Dimensions	Frame 25.5 cm; 38 cm overall length, 28 cm wide, 33 cm high	“Length of frame 25.5cm (10ins); 38cm (15ins) long overall, 28cm (11ins) wide, 33cm (13ins) high.”
Retailer Association	L.H. Keller and Company, New York	“RETAILED BY L.H. KELLER AND COMPANY, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1900”

Visible details

Circular horizontal dividing plate with multiple concentric circles of index detent holes
Three down-curved grey metal feet pierced at the ends for bench mounting
Brass and steel framing with several adjustment thumbscrews and turned dark handles
Centrally positioned vertical arbor with top steady bracket and cutter spindle

Research qualifications

Source notes that the index detent arrangement was modified by Dr. John A. Robey and is not entirely original
Source condition report notes light surface corrosion to some steelwork

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.