Bench milling machine, 1918
This firm began in 1906 when Francis C. Crowningshield began making vises for drill presses and milling machines. By 1916 the business was known as Miller & Crowningshield, and by that time they were making a small milling machine. In about 1951 they briefly manufactured the M and M planer/molder. Some time after that, the name changed to Crowningshield-Harris Co., Inc., which then changed in 1958 to Crowningshield, Inc. By this time the company had a pretty low profile and we have not found any data points after 1958.
The M and M planer/molder was manufactured by the following firms. The list is in the order we believe that they manufactured it.
Information Sources
- The June 1916 Machinery has an illustrated article on the Miller & Crowningshield hand milling machine.
- The March 1921 Machinery has a brief illustrated article on the Miller & Crowningshield multiple-spindle index-centers, which were designed to allow rapid fluting and squaring of taps and reamers.
- Article in 1927 issue of Machinery on Miller & Crowningshield's drilling-machine vise.
- The 1930 book, History of Massachusetts Industries Their Inception, Growth and Success" Vol. I, by Orra L. Stone, has the following tidbit:
In 1906, Francis C. Crowningshield began the manufacture of vises for drill presses and milling machines, and special machine and tool building. The firm is now Miller & Crowningshield.
- Article in 1937 issue of Steel on Miller & Crowningshield's V-belt drive hand miller with with reversing switch and motor built into the space.
- According to a 1958 report from the Massachusetts Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation, "Crowningshield-Harris Co., Inc., Greenfield. Name changed to Crowningshield, Inc., Greenfield."
- The lathes.co.uk site has a page on Crowningshield millers.
- Seen on eBay: 6" planer labeled as follows: "M and M / Dual planer / manufactured and distributed by / Miller & Crowningshield, Inc. / Greenfield, Mass / patents pending"