Original version of drill; from 1899-09-06 "Iron and Steel"

Improved version of drill; from 1901-08-01 "The Iron Age"

O. W. Burritt & Brother was a hardware store in Weedsport, NY, with a satellite store in Port Byron, that was in operation from 1852 into the early 1900s, and perhaps beyond. The principal of this firm was Orrin W. Burritt, a prominent citizen of Weedsport who patented and manufactured several inventions that were sold through his hardware store. His inventions included a small combined clamp and drilling machine for use by blacksmiths, millwrights and farmers. For a time these drilling machines were manufactured by Weedsport Drill Co.—with that firm's name cast into the frame—and sold through O. W. Burritt & Bro., but both earlier and later versions of the drill have the "O. W. Burritt & Bro." name cast into the frame and not that of the Weedsport Drill Co. Early versions have "Pat. Pend." cast into the frame but so far as we can determine, no such patent was ever issued.

Information Sources

• The 1894 book, Biographical Review: The Leading Citizens of Cayuga County, New York.

  Henry H. Fenn, dealer in hardware and stoves, is one of the leading business men of Port Byron... In 1883 they removed to Port Byron, where Mr. Fenn purchased one-half the interest in the store of O. W. Burritt & Brother, of Weedsport, after which the firm name became Burritt & Fenn, and continued as such until 1891. He is at present the agent for O. W. Burritt & Brother, of Weedsport, being proprietor of the only hardware store in Port Byron...

  Orrin W. Burritt, a leading hardware merchant of Weedsport, N.Y., was born in Roxbury, Litchfield County, Conn., May 6, 1827... In 1850 he came to Weedsport to work for Beach & Burritt, the junior member of the firm being his cousin; and, after working with them until October, 1852, he bought them out, and started business for himself, which he has successfully conducted up to the present time, being the oldest merchant in business in the village... Mr. Burritt is of a distinctly inventive turn of mind, and has invented many excellent devices. In 1871 he patented a machine for seaming iron and tin roofs, known as "Burritt's Duplex Treadle Seamer," for which there is a fine demand and large sale. Mr. burritt has also invented a shop machine called the "Burritt New Cross Lock Seamer," which was patented in 1884, and improved in 1888. This also has a ready sale, being handled by over one hundred jobbing houses, and being in general use from Portland, Me., to Portland, Ore. Mr. Burritt gives employment to a number of skilled workmen, and has a large plant... In addition to the store in Weedsport he also has a branch store at Port Byron, where he has a full line of hardware...

• 1898-04-28 The Iron Age.

  F. N. Burritt and F. M. Harrington have purchased the Hardware business of O. W. Burritt & Bro., Weedsport, N. Y., and will continue under the same style. Messrs. Burritt and Harrington are both members of the banking house of Burritt & Son, Mr. Burritt being president. They also own the Weedsport Drill Company, of whom Mr. Harrington is president. For over 40 years, they advise us, every bill presented to O. W. Burritt & Bro. has been discounted, and the same policy will be continued in the future. April 1 a strictly cash system was inaugurated, with gratifying results, and the firm advise us that they will keep it up and never go back to the credit system.

• 1898-07-23 The Metal Worker.

  O. W. Burritt & Brother, Weedsport, Pa., are distributing a circular of a Combination Clamp and Drill designed for tinners, plumbers and all who have use for a clamp and a drill. The drill consists of a frame arranged with a series of teeth on which a bed for the work to be drilled may be adjusted at the desired point. The spindle to which ithe Drill is attached is operated by a crank shaft on which is a device for feeding the drill. For drilling stove plate and for holding parts of stoves in position while repairing its advantages as a clamp can be readily seen.

• 1899-09-16 Iron and Steel/cite> has an illustrated writeup, accompanied by a small illustration where the name "Weedsport Drill Co. Weedsport N.Y." can be seen on the drill frame.

  Burritt's Combination Clamp and Drill—In the accompany cut is shown a combination clamp and drill, manufactured by O. w. Burritt & Bro. of Weedsport, N. Y. The drill is especially design for use by black smiths, millwrights, farmers, etc., and is described as being quick and accurate in its work, drilling through three-inch steel, or the center of a seven-inch circle, with ease. Its entire length is 17 inches and its weight 6½ pounds. It countersinks frail bolts and tires and drills holes for every size bolt made. Five drills, from 3-16 of an inch to ½-inch, go with each machine. For sale by hardware jobbers.

• 1901-08-01 The Iron Age.

  Burritt’s Combination Clamp and Drill.—O. W. Burritt & Brother, Weedsport, N. Y., have made improvements in the barrel of the drill illustrated in the accompanying cut. The drill is made entirely of brass, wrought and malleable iron and steel. Its weight is 6½ pounds, and the length over all about 17 inches. It is explained that it will drill through 3-inch steel; that it will drill holes to the center or a 7-inch circle; that it will countersink for all screws and tire bolts, and drill holes for all carriage and tire bolts. Each machine is furnished with five drills, the sizes being 3-16, ¼, 5-16, ? and ½ inch. This drill is designed for the use of farmers, mill owners, threshers, &c. The manufacturers state that the drill can be screwed to a bench, fastened in a vise, or clamped to a vehicle or implement in the road or field and do its work perfectly.

• The web site of the Finger Lakes Library System, notes, "O. W. Burritt and Bro. established a hardware in 1852".
• A web page on Weedsport history notes that the patterns for the Burritt drills are in the collection of the Old Brutus Historical Museum.
• From the EAIA's "Directory of American Toolmakers". Here is the text of the entry: "An O. W. Burritt was reported as the maker of a tin roof crimper and an O. W. Burritt & Bro. as the maker of a blacksmith's post drill. Both reports cited Weedsport." The EAIA did not have any data on the years of operation of this maker. A correspondent provided us with some patent information, which shows that Orrin W. Burritt patented his roofing crimpers in 1871, 1882, and 1884.
• Thanks to Don Gallagher for bringing "Weedsport Drill Co." to our attention.