Stanley 921 6" brace w/Simmons markings (?)

[PFSchaffner]

Another question that probably says more about my ignorance than
anything. I picked up a grimy bit brace from the Methodist rummage sale
this weekend, cleaned it up and found a Stanley 921 with 6-inch throw,
which is nice; early patent dates on the ratchet, presumably some of
those patents that Stanley acquired in the first decade of the 20th century
when they decided to get back in the brace business (10/14/02; 4/26/04
[=no. 758329];  2/27/06 [=no. 813586]; 6/5/06 [= no. 722714]), which
I would guess makes this a fairly early example of a 921. But it also has
anomalous markings on the chuck sleeve:

S. HDWE Co  SURE GRI[P]

which I assume are Simmons markings.  So is this a composite, with
a Simmons chuck on a Stanley brace? Or a double-branded tool (did
Stanley make braces for Simmons?). And are those really Simmons
markings, anyway?

[PFSchaffner]

The basis for my assumption that the sleeve markings
("SURE GRI[P]" "S. HDWE Co") are Simmons is the following:

Article entitled "Simmons Hardware Company's Chicago House."
The Iron Age v. 52, July 27, 1893, p. 175:

"On tables are samples of goods peculiar to the Simmons
Hardware Company, such as True-Blue Hammers, True-Blue
Braces, Sure Grip Braces, Wightman Braces, Keen Kutter
Drawing Knives, Chisels, &c."

https://goo.gl/gYHStp

[Bill Houghton]

I believe Simmons, like many of the hardware/department/other stores, contracted out their toolmaking.  Stanley made tools for many people.  I've got a backsaw that I would swear is a Stanley No. 4, but is badged for a Chicago hardware store.

And some of those "badge engineered" tools still show the actual maker's name on them, in addition to the hardware/department/other store's name.

So this could easily be an example of that.

Nice get.  I love the concealed ratchet on those tools, although the example I acquired were a little wobbly in use.  If Stanley had built them so the entire chuck and ratchet mechanism wasn't cantilevered off a relatively small bearing surface, they'd have been better tools.

[PFSchaffner]

I see that I was privileged to be the recipient of your ONE THOUSANDTH posting!

[Bill Houghton]

Huh.  I hadn't even noticed the counter.  Do you win a prize?  Do I?

[Papaw]

No prizes guys!

[HeelSpur]

Party pooper.