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This is a McCormick cutter bar sharpner used in the early days of the McCormick Reaper. When Cyrus McCormick of Virginia invented the mechanical reaper in 1831 the mechanization of agriculture really began. He did not patent his machine until 1834. By 1847 he began to mass produce the reaper in a factory in Chicago. Early on he developed a cutter bar, V shaped knives rivited on a long metal strip. A special grinder was needed for the routine sharpening of these knives. This is the grinder or sharpner with the V shaped grinding wheel that Cyrus McCormick developed to sharpen the reaper cutterbar.This grinder is cast iron and was made by McCormick, Chicago. (see picture) It probably dates to the last third of the 19th century. It is in good working order with the grinding wheel intact. For its age I would describe it as excellent condition. It weighs approx. 16 3/4 lbs, is approx. 12 1/4" high, 18" long including crank handle, and 9 1/2" wide.
(19TH century mccormick cutter bar sharpener was posted and is owned by: June Adams) |
Juneadams@chicagopartsnetwork.com (June Adams) for more information.
