K&D Sensible Hand Remover Model 310

/ Watchmakers / By

I have seen some confusion about a popular tool created by K&D around the turn of the 20th century, e.g., 1902. I notice that confusion as I browse eBay’s listings of pre-owned watch tools. The sellers lack knowledge of the tool, how it works and when K&D made it. Let’s take a shot at clearing-up that confusion, now.

Several watch and jewelry suppliers carried the K&D Sensible Hand Tool Remover. Let’s look at how the largest supplier, Swartchild & Company, advertised the Model 310 in their 1928 catalog like this:

This has a self-acting plunger, which comes down on the top of the hand socket, holding the hands in the tool after they are moved from the watch. Pressure on the dial comes directly over the hour wheel. Does not crack dials. Finely finished. Hard rubber handle.

Figure 2

K&D manufactured the 310 & 310B from 1910 – 1992.  The one in the photo below has a Bakelite handle, which would date it in the 1930’s.

Several variations of this tool exists. I have several and each handle is made out of different materials.

The tool came in two models: the 310 and the 310B.  The 310 has a larger head on the plunger (see fig 1). When you put the 310 on a wristwatch, it’s simply slips.

The 310B is too small for a pocket watch and it also slips.

Unfortunately, most sellers on eBay put this tool up for auction and have no idea if it’s for a bracelet or a pocket watch.

Fig 1

Another problem exists. In photos the tool appears large. In reality it’s a little large than a tweezers. The photos fool anyone that hasn’t seen a 310.

Figure 3

Note: The tool is much smaller than one would imagine from the photographs we see on eBay and in catalogs. It fits one’s hand nicely.




The patent – US922096 A

18 May 1909

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
FRANK R. CUNNINGHAM, OF MEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, 
ASSIGNOR TO KENDRICK & DAVIS, OF LEBANON, NEW HAMPSHIRE, A FIRM.

WATCH-HAND REMOVER.

Some controversy exists over K&D’s patents or even who owned the company. In early patents beginning in 1902, assignments went to Frank B. Kendrick and William Davis as individuals. 

By 1910, the assignments went to the company of Kendrick and Davis, Co. To confuse matters further, a patent application dated 1910, shows Frank B. Kendrick as the inventor. Frank B. Kendrick retired from K&D  in 1910. At that time, he owned part of the Lebanon Savings Bank. Records show Mr. Kendrick associated with the bank in 1896.

The inventor of the Sensible Hand Tool also wrote patent applications for Hammel and Riglander (HR). It appears that K&D obtained the patent from HR. Why?

K&D didn’t have the financial resources to handle it’s growth. Kendrick’s son in law, Ralph Roger Wood, worked as an Investment Banker and acquired capital for the company. He did so by first incorporating the company and then brought in wealthy stockholders. With the new financial resources acquired, Wood became the company Treasurer – not the managing partner. 

With Frank B. Kendrick gone and Wood working as treasurer, who ran the business? Who wrote the famous books in 1910?
Figure 4

While we may not know the author, Hammel & Riglander published them.

K&D sold incredible products. They cornered the staking market by 1902.  By 1909, the company had many suitors. We can only speculate at this point, but it appears one of those suitors acquired K&D and Hammel & Riglander appears like the winning suitor.