Photo Index - Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co. (PEXTO) - 1939 - Pexto 36" Model 173G Stomp Shear

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Peck, Stow & Wilcox Co. (PEXTO)
Southington, CT, Cleveland, OH

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Metal Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Other
Machine Size:	3'
Submitted By:	Randy Sauder

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	1939 - Pexto 36" Model 173G Stomp Shear
Date of Manufacturer:	1939
Serial Number:	SAI M788
Last Updated	3/18/2025 11:38:10 PM

Comments:

This 36” Model 173G stomp shear was built in 1939 by The Peck Stow & Wilcox Co in Southington, Connecticut. Little history is known by me of this particular Pexto. In 2017 I bought it from a small sheet metal company in northeastern Alabama, USA. When purchased, it was entirely battleship gray with the hold down being red. Whether those colors were original to the machine is unknown? The battleship gray color may suggest it was used by the U.S. Navy, either onboard ship or at a Naval base, but that is pure speculation. Most surviving vintage industrial machines in the United States predating 1945 were used directly or indirectly for the war effort during WWII. During war years 1941-45 most other heavy machines were scrapped for their metal content. Three ID plates are affixed to the shear. The first is the brass Pexto ID tag showing it as Model 173G capable of 18g cuts. It also has the number 5/39 which I interpret as being built May 1939. Some have told me the number means it was the 5th off the line in 1939 but I don’t know if that is correct? The second, also brass, is triangular with the words, “Smith Booth Usher, Machinery Distributors, Los Angeles, California” which is either the selling company of the machine or a shear owned and used by them. Companies of the era often affixed company name tags to their in-house equipment. The third smaller aluminum plate reads, “SAI M788” which may be the serial number or a number associated with Smith Booth Usher? When purchased, this machine worked but had gummy movement and a few other issues that led to a full restoration. While still functional, the broken vertical return springs and half missing finger protective plexiglass were replaced. Whether the plexiglass was original by Pexto is unknown to me but I suspect it was likely a later safety add on? During my 2023 restoration the shear body was stripped and repainted Battleship Gray in keeping with its original color. The hold down and foot contact area of the stomp mechanism were painted fire engine red based on my choice. Likewise, the inner area of the Pexto logo was painted sunshine yellow, not because it was original, but because I liked it. During restoration the front stop and front table support extension arms were added from a later model 36” donor Pexto, Model 137-L, # 11/69, as the originals in this one were missing. They fit and work perfectly with this machine and are believed to be nearly (or perhaps exactly) the same as what originals would have looked like? When not in use, the support extension arms hang on existing hooks under the shear. In addition, the front stop hangs on a dedicated hook on the right side of the machine when not being used. Also added was a home built rear stop since the original was no longer with the machine. Whether Pexto sold front/rear stops and table support arms as standard equipment with their new machines or as add on components for an extra charge is unknown to me? After restoration this 85 year-old machine performs like new and would be useful in any modern metal shop.

Photo 1:

Comments: Front View after restoration
Source: Personal photo taken by Randy Sauder

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Photo 2:

Comments: Rear view with home build rear stop
Source: Personal photo by Randy Sauder

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Photo 3:

Comments: View of the added table extensions
Source: Personal photo by Randy Sauder

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Photo 4:

Comments: View showing where the front stop and extension legs are stored when not in use.
Source: Personal photo by Randy Sauder

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Photo 5:

Comments: The ID plates on the machine.
Source: Personal photo by Randy Sauder

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Photo 6:

Comments: How the machine looked in 2017 before restoration.
Source: Personal photo by Randy Sauder

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