Nickel-plated brass, antebellum shuttle patented August 4, 1868 by Ira H. Stockwell and Lizzie C. Goodwin of Worcester, Massachusetts. This is the first U.S.-patented commercial shuttle to have an integral point on one end to assist in making picot joins. This one shows considerable signs of wear and the point was probably longer than indicated below. Interestingly, it has raised central bosses on both sides to assist unravelling thread and a thread catching notch on the center post; both features are not covered in the Letters Patent, but were patented many years later by other 'inventors'. Purchased from Michelle Lee of Patterns from the Past 1999.
2.475" + ~.0625" point L x .640" W x .312" H
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