This firm is believed to have manufactured a lathe turning support that was patented in 1884 by John W. Railey and John Tyler. Several examples have been reported, variously labeled with the names "Bailey Backrest Co.", "Frank K. Moore", "W. W. Carey", or simply, "Tyler & Raileys Pat./ Claremont NH 1884". Frank K. Moore was a dealer and W. W. Carey was a machinery manufacturer and dealer.

Information Sources

• A past for-sale item on AmericanArtifacts.com was a cast-iron lathe steady-rest. The rest is labeled, "Frank K. Moore Woodworking Machinery, Boston, Mass".


The Frank K. Moore steady-rest. Image courtesy and Copyright Richard Van Vleck, AmericanArtifacts.com.

• Another example of this steady-rest is reported by correspondent Robert Bourcier. Bob's steady-rest, which came with an unlabeled lathe, is identical to the previously reported example.
• A thorough patent search did not reveal any patents to an F. K. Moore of Boston. A web search and a search of the two "Making of America" archives also came up dry.
• Correspondent David Lamb pointed us to the Railey back-rest patent and reported that the back-rest is believed to have been made in Claremont, NH.
• From 1790 until 1861, patents were granted for fourteen years. From 1861 until 1994, patents were granted for a period of seventeen years. After that, patents were for twenty years from the earliest application date, to a maximum issued term of seventeen years. Source: the Wikipedia page on US patent terms.
• An example is reported, labeled, "Tyler & Raileys Pat. / Claremont NH 1884". This example is presumably earlier than the others.
• An owwm forum discussion reviews the various versions of the backrest that have been seen, and correct some errors in an earlier version of this page.