Expert: Barbara K. Acchino - 4/12/2006

Question
I have an older thimble of my grandmothers that I am fairly sure was mfg by Simons. Can you give me an idea of when it may have been made based on it's markings?

It is silver in color, but I doubt it is sterling.The band has an ivy like vine around it. Where it begins/ends is offset; one side of the pattern is fractionally higher than the other.

Inside the cap: at the top is "USA" at the bottom is the size "7". In the middle is a thimble with a keystone on the side area of the thimble and "SBC" on the band area.

I also have my great grandmothers thimble. My grandmother gave it to me in 1978 with a note that said my great grandmother would have been 101 at the time and got it when she was 16; would indicate she received it in 1893. It is in a box that appears to be covered in green leather and has a partial flocked lining. There was white lettering on the slightly domed lid of the box but it is almost all worn off. I can make out what appears to be a capital M or Mc that seems like it may have been the mfg name.

The thimble has an open top, a brass ring around the base and is some type of base metal, silver in color.

Any information you could give me on either one of these would be so appreciated. Thanks, Barbara Watts


Answer
Hello Barbara.  The Simons thimble you describe is base metal from nickel-silver (which actually has no silver content) or a metal oreide.  Besides the size (7) you should see a keystone type mark.  This combined with the letters SBC were the markings for Simons industrial thimbles.  They were produced from 1919 thru 1952.  As far as the second thimble you describe, it could be a tailor's thimble - made without a top as a tailor would push the needle from the side of the thimble and not the top, or it could have had the top cut off on purpose due to many holes from needle pushing.  I can't know for sure which is the case without seeing a picture.  Since you describe a brass rim on the thimble, I am guessing the thimble body itself may be an iron oreide (mixture of metals).  The thimble box you describe may have a covering of "shagreen" which was a material made to immitate shark skin.  Jewelers used these boxed with their names printed on them, but it doesn't mean the jeweler actually made the thimble or that the thimble in the box actually came from that jeweler.  If you have the ability to send a digital picture of any of your items, please do so.  Maybe I can provide more information.  bacchino@twcny.rr.com  It's really nice to have family sewing tools.  Barb