After World War II, C&E Marshall started a price war with Kendrick & Davis, Co. It’s easy to understand, Marshall purchased the Moseley Company and acquired two products: The Lathe and the Moseley Staking Tool. Marshall released a modified version of the K&D 18R. Marshall called their product “The Moseley Staking Tool” and offered it for $63.50 to $87.50. K&D’s set cost $94.
In today’s dollars that doesn’t sound like much difference. I would chose an all tempered steel and heavy chrome plated K&D staking tool to the part steel, part plastic Moseley tool.
Let’s talk in 2014 dollars. In 1946, $63.50 would have the same purchasing power as $618 today. When I stood about three feet tall, my dad used to buy me a Coca Cola for a nickle (5 cents).
In 2014 dollars, a watchmaker could get into a friction jeweling set for $618. The K&D’s friction jeweling set would start at $916. That’s a significant difference.
Let’s look at the product comparison’s. The first figure on the top left is Moseley’s tool. Below it, Figure 3 is the K&D tool. Today, C&E Marshall would have their head handed to them in court. Why? Because, K&D owned the patent. See Figure 5 and the patent date is 1938. That would give K&D the exclusive rights to market their product for nine more years before a competitor could build a similar product. You don’t question the similarities in the designs do you?
Marshall also took K&D head on in the 38mm die plate staking frame. Marshall offered a product comparable to the Model 600 for $24.50 versus K&D’s $42. In 2014 dollars that’s $234 versus $409.
In 2014, you can’t buy either brand new. The K&D 18R Deluxe sells for about $300 on eBay. The Moseley brings about $150.
Why the difference? K&D furnishes several accessories Moseley didn’t even make. K&D included 12 jeweling stakes with handle; two balance staff removers; six jeweling stumps; two adjustable roller removers; several additional “types of” punches; canon pinion tighteners; and cross hole punches to mention a few.
In the 600 Series – Little Giant lines, the C&E Marshall Moseley clone generally sells for more than the K&D set. The two frames are identical with the exception of old plastic in the Moseley tools.
Frankly, I’m stumped.
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| Figure 1 |
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| Figure 3 |
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| Figure 5 |