Bench milling machine, 1918
This firm began in 1906 when Francis C. Crowningshield began making vises for drill presses and milling machines. He was soon joined by Ernest P. Miller and the the business was known as Miller & Crowningshield, and by 1916 they were making a small milling machine. In 1924 Crowningshield bought out Miller's interest in the business, though the name remained unchanged.
At some point Clifford W. Harris, a nephew of Francis, became a partner in the business which became Crowningshield-Harris Co., Inc.
In about 1951 Francis's son John bought his father's interest in the business, and a year later he bought out Harris's interest as well. In about 1958 the business name changed to Crowningshield, Inc.; the data around the timing of this name change is confusing and it is possible that both names were in use at the same time.
During about 1951 they briefly manufactured the M and M planer/molder, a machine more strongly associated with M. S. Perkins Machine Co.; in fact, the M and M planer/molder was manufactured by the following firms, in about this order:
During all this time the business continued making various models of benchtop vertical and horizontal milling machines. Although these were small and of relatively simple design, later models, especially, were well built and precise. Both toolroom and production models were made.
Information on the company seems to tail off after about 1958 and it seems that the business wound down around that time.
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.
- 1954 book History of Greenfield: Shire Town of Franklin County, Massachusetts, Volume 4, by Francis McGee Thompson. page 2052.
Organized in 1906 as Miller and Crowningshield, this machine shop produced its own design of milling and shaping machine rises, hand milling machines, a midget wood planer for hobbyists and carpenters, and a nibbler for sheet metal work. In 1924, Francis K. Crowningshield bought out his partner, Ernest P. Miller, and two years later he produced until the depression a special machine for the multiple drilling of bathroom fixtures. Both World War II and Korean War brought sharp expansion, some 50 working there during the latter affair. In 1951, Crowningshield's son, John, bought out his father's half interest and a year later the interest of Clifford W. Harris, a nephew of the senior Crowningshield.
- 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"