NYE Tool and Machine Works, where did they go?

[lbgradwell]

And some more data points for the tools...

The Nye Tool Co., the tool and die firm founded by his father in 1904, was sold in 1964 to an Indiana company.

...Symington-Wayne...purchased S-K and Lectrolite in 1962.

In 1964 it also purchased NYE Tool and Die.  NYE was run under Symington-Wayne ownership as "NYE Tool Company, Division of Symington Wayne Corporation".

Here's Oily's pipe cutter:




and here are a couple of others. These are all No. 2 cutters. First, what is likely a later but pre-Symington-Wayne NYE tool (note the lack of the cool, stylized "NYE" and the new recessed panel):




and now an example from after the acquisition:




And here's a shot of some thread chasers post-acquisition where we can see the new logo in the familiar style of the SK-Wayne logo for mechanics tools:

I did find a newspaper article dated Oct. 2, 1963 that confirms Nye being sold to Symington Wayne.  It also notes Symington Wayne as a Salisbury, Md. company - unlike previous mentions of a Fort Wayne company buying them out.

The packaging also shows the Symington-Wayne Corp. as being in Fort Wayne - a carry-over from the  Wayne Pump Company days.

[lbgradwell]

But it gets better! This I did not expect...

Harry Gale Nye Jr., 79, one of the nation`s most respected yachtsmen and former owner of Murphy & Nye Sailmakers...

He sold the (sail) company in the late 1950s.

I don't know who Harry, Jr. sold the company to in the late 1950s, but it seems to have done quite well, because the company exists to this day as an Italian-owned entity (controlled by fashion company Sixty SpA) specializing in sailing-wear!

murphynye.com

Here's Google's awkward translation of the website's History:

Murphy & Nye and sailing: a historical connection, which traces its roots to the beginning of last century, when Jim Murphy and Harry Nye Jr. founded in Chicago - in 1933 - their sail loft specializing in pleasure.

In the '60s Murphy & Nye is one of the most important sail makers in the United States and in 1975 opened a European subsidiary in Italy. This was hugely successful, so much so that in 1980 M & N acquired the brand from Europe, the American parent homes. At the same time, the company decided to improve the know-how that holds in the construction of racing sails to produce garments for crews. This line of highly technical garments are handmade in the same lofts where sails are produced and fully meets the requirements of robustness and functionality required by the crews. The success of these clothes causes the brand to launch a few years later, the line Murphy & Nye Sailwear and historic leader - the cotton pants reps - renamed "Newport", named after the mythical place where it was held for many years the oldest and most prestigious regatta in the world: the America's Cup

The America's Cup becomes a moment of enormous visibility for Murphy & Nye when historical edition of 1992, the M & N Sailwear is chosen as the official supplier of Team Il Moro di Venezia skippered by Paul Cayard. It 's the first time that the boat of a non-Anglophone America's Cup dispute and Murphy & Nye is on board this boat for an unforgettable adventure.
After this resounding success, M & N continues to be the benchmark for the America's Cup sailing teams the most important of the world: Swiss Challenger - in 2000 - at Le Challenger Delphi up to Team New Zealand - in 2002/2003.
Since 2005, besides being Exclusive To replace the Emirates Team New Zealand and United Internet Team Germany, M & N is chosen by the organizers of the America's Cup to design and implement the official collections for men, women and junior with the "32nd America's Cup "- with a three-year exclusive worldwide license. Also in 2005, the brand has signed a co-marketing agreement with Pershing, a Ferretti Group company, for which the collection is made Murphy & Nye Power and alongside Giovanni Soldini in his famous solo firms.

It 'was then the turn of the agreement with Nautor's Swan - prestigious Finnish shipyard that produces the Swan sailing yachts - for which M & N has provided customized apparel to all staff involved in racing, in events and various events.

Today Murphy & Nye is part of the portfolio Sixty SpA and represents a growing international company, with the extreme dynamism that distinguishes a product and result of constant technological research and quality that meets more and more the favor of both teams of professional and amateur sailors and the final consumer.

And, most surprisingly of all, that connection to sailing turned up in 2007 as a nautically-themed partnership between Murphy & Nye and Alfa-Romeo!!!

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/alfa-romeo/2007-alfa-147-murphy-nye-ar37392.html

Behold the 2007 Alfa 147 Murphy&Nye:













Truly bizarre!

[schnitz]

Holy crap!  I just want to know how you guys found all this out.  Maybe I need better search methods!

[OilyRascal]

Thanks for posting the information, lb!  Great stuff.  I knew the sail company still existed, but had no knowledge of the Alfa 147 Murphy&Nye.  I'm enjoying the story unfolding.  thanks again!

Holy crap!  I just want to know how you guys found all this out.  Maybe I need better search methods!

For my part - having access to the Chicago Tribune archives didn't hurt.

[lbgradwell]

I knew the sail company still existed, but had no knowledge of the Alfa 147 Murphy&Nye.  I'm enjoying the story unfolding.

Extraordinary that the name of a Chicago maker of plumbing tools can be extinct in North America, but live on in Europe connected to an iconic Italian car-maker.

What a long, strange trip it's been!

[OilyRascal]

And some more data points for the tools...

The Nye Tool Co., the tool and die firm founded by his father in 1904, was sold in 1964 to an Indiana company.

...Symington-Wayne...purchased S-K and Lectrolite in 1962.

In 1964 it also purchased NYE Tool and Die.  NYE was run under Symington-Wayne ownership as "NYE Tool Company, Division of Symington Wayne Corporation".

Here's Oily's pipe cutter:




and here are a couple of others. These are all No. 2 cutters. First, what is likely a later but pre-Symington-Wayne NYE tool (note the lack of the cool, stylized "NYE" and the new recessed panel):




and now an example from after the acquisition:




And here's a shot of some thread chasers post-acquisition where we can see the new logo in the familiar style of the SK-Wayne logo for mechanics tools:

I did find a newspaper article dated Oct. 2, 1963 that confirms Nye being sold to Symington Wayne.  It also notes Symington Wayne as a Salisbury, Md. company - unlike previous mentions of a Fort Wayne company buying them out.

The packaging also shows the Symington-Wayne Corp. as being in Fort Wayne - a carry-over from the  Wayne Pump Company days.

Any idea where this "Sander's Type" cutter fits in the NYE Tool timeline?

[lbgradwell]

Any idea where this "Sander's Type" cutter fits in the NYE Tool timeline?

I'm afraid not, but I'd have to guess it's earlier...

[OilyRascal]

A Nye Tool & Machine Works No. 20 Tube Cutter

[OilyRascal]

A recent addition - and a worker on several occasions already.  NYE #25 1/2" to 2-1/8" pipe cutter, 8" long, 2lbs 4 ounces.

[Wrenchmensch]

Thanks for all the background on Nye tools.  My searches are pretty much restricted to wrenches, so all that I have found have been a couple of Nye pipe wrenches.  They were beautifully made, and early ones were plated. The 6-inch below was found in Southern Delaware. The older 10-inch retains more than 80% of its original chrome plating.  Both wrenches have a small hammer surface on their lower jaws!

[OilyRascal]

A recently acquired NYE chain wrench - Model NCW 4 - unknown vintage - weight at 1lb 7 ounces - 12" long.  It was received in a condition that was less than ideal - plenty of paint to remove.  It turned out to have nice jaws and is overall in good condition with some plating scratches.

It will be a worker for me.  It is my first reasonably sized chain wrench.

[lbgradwell]

A recently acquired NYE chain wrench - Model NCW 4 - unknown vintage - weight at 1lb 7 ounces - 12" long.

Remarkable; I saw one of these on eBay for the first time this morning!

Nice looking tool!

[OilyRascal]

Then they were made in 1955 (per AA).

First, what is likely a later but pre-Symington-Wayne NYE tool (note the lack of the cool, stylized "NYE" and the new recessed panel):

It seems your theory of the stylized "NYE" being pre-Wayne, but later in the NYE history, is supported by the markings on the adjustables dated 1955 by date code markings.  These two examples would have been 7 years before the sell to Symington-Wayne, and they sport the logo.

[OilyRascal]

Here is a new one on me.  It is not mine, rather one I stumbled across in research; a NYE knockout punch

[OilyRascal]

recently acquired NYE 8" pipe wrench.  It has the stylized "NYE" logo present and is otherwise marked "8" The NYE Tool Co." / "THE NYE TOOL CO. CHICAGO U.S.A."