Stapler of the Week Archive- Swingline 101

Swingline 101 steel chrome and grey finish

Swingline No 416 1/4" staples cardboard box with steel wire staples

My stapler collection started as a gift from my wife.  I have always felt having a personal collection is a kindness to your family when they are shopping for you.  When there is nothing else that comes to mind, they can always fall back on your interests.  This particular stapler came to me as a welcome Father's Day gift.

The Swingline 101 is a light-duty stapler with heavy-duty construction.  As with the Arrow JT-21, the light-duty classification means the tacker can only drive a shorter staple.  The 101 can load a staple with either a 1/4" (No. 101-4) or a 5/16" (No. 101-5) leg.  These staples can also be loaded into the heavy-duty Swingline 200 which is shown on the front of the staple box.  Its compact size is perfect for stapling lost cat flyers to telephone poles.  I suppose now I can finally think about getting a cat.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, June 30, 2020.  

Stapler of the Week Archive: Swingline 4P

Swingline 4P steel grey finish

Swingline 4P steel two tone grey finish

In a recent correspondence, a friend of the Stapler of the Week shared photos of his father's beautiful chrome Parrot Speed Fastener 4P.  Parrot Speed Fastener became Speed Products and later Swingline.  In sharing what I knew about his stapler, I realized I had not yet featured my own collection's examples, although I had previously featured their companion stapler, the smaller Swingline 3P.  The 4P is the plier version of the Swingline No.4  minus the streamlined "sphinx paw" base.  This ingenious design adaptation took parts assembled at the beginning of the line and transformed a desktop stapler into one that fits comfortably in the hand.  Perhaps this innovation did not inure them to the folks in the desk industry.  I particularly enjoy the version with the finger guard.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, April 29, 2020.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Swingline 790

Swingline 790 plastic, steel, rubber

Swingline 790 plastic, steel, rubber

I have always enjoyed Swingline staplers for their sturdy metal construction much akin to the Tonka trucks of my youth.  At some point it must have become more profitable to forge the stapler of plastic rather than steel.  It was the same with Tonka trucks but the cost savings are lost in quality and longevity.  For example, here are two very nice Swingline 790 magazine staplers composed of at least 80% plastic.  Unfortunately, that plastic construction is liable to fail as is apparent on the white 790.

On the positive side, the 790 is innovative in both form and function; undoubtably, Swingline must have won some design award with it.  First off as a magazine stapler, the staples are coiled in a removable 5000 staple cartridge which is also used on several of Swingline's electric staplers.  Instead of a wire spool, the cartridge is a coil of flat glued staples from which the stapler separates the staple and forms legs to be crimped in the anvil.  On the mechanical scale of complexity, it's one step between a normal strip and a wire spool stapler.  On the Stapler of the Week scale it ranks just between nifty and very cool.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, December 19, 2010.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Swingline 77B

Swingline 77B (without and with base) steel and plastic chrome finish

Swingline 77B steel and plastic chrome finish

Two years ago I bought a small pink and chrome Swingline 77B stapler and had a feeling it was missing something.  I had seen other 77 models with molded plastic bases which seemed to complete the picture.  Yet, the bottom of this 77 seemed too finished to be encased in plastic.  Finally I happened upon a complete red and chrome 77B and later acquired this ivory and chrome example.   One might ask who needs a stapler separate from its base.  The most obvious answer is so that the base can be fastened to an out of the way surface and house the stapler when not in use.  As the stapler slides into the base it locks in place so this mounting surface could be on a wall or even a ceiling and the stapler would hold fast.  I mean this stapler could even be used in space.  Now there are other wall-mountable staplers out there, but the 77B is by far my favorite yet.

 

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, November 8, 2009.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Swingline No. 3 & No. 3C

Swingline No. 3 steel & plastic gray finish

Swingline No. 3C steel, plastic, and wood black finish

Swingline No. 3C (bottom) steel & wood black finish

I have previously featured the Swingline No. 4 and the No. 3P, yet only mentioned the No. 3. Here are two examples of the more compact workhorse that was no less wide-spread. It's no rarity, but as with the No. 4, the design is among Swingline's best. At the museum where I work, there are many examples of the gray No. 4 still in use which certainly can attest to the quality of its manufacture and design. The No. 3C, above, an earlier example, has the black finish, early plastic plunger and a wood base.  Its finish is similar to another No. 4, also previously mentioned here.  When I first saw a No. 3C, I did not expect to base to be as finished as it is.  I include an image of it to show its simple yet elegant inscription and rivet attachment.  It reminds me of how Michelangelo said he freed the figures from the blocks of stone he carved.  Perhaps inside this block of wood, a streamlined Sphynx-paw base lurks...waiting for its freedom.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, October 11, 2009.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Swingline Cub Plier

Swingline Cub Plier steel chrome and green finish

Swingline Cub Plier steel chrome and green finish

Along with previously featured Swingline Cub staplers, these Cub Pliers not only fall into the "cute" category, but are also perfectly sized for comfort and function. When held in one's palm, the user's thumb and index finger naturally fall into position in the indents on the top and bottom of the stapler. The Cub Plier features a punched tab at the rear to enable attaching a chain or string to prevent "office product drift" which tends to occur in the workplace. As with all Cub examples, Cub or no 77 staples are required, for which I am still searching for a equivalent source as Swingline has discontinued production and sold off all surplus stock. I have not seen enough examples to speak to the color variety, although a recent eBay auction featured an orange Cub Plier, which in my experience is an uncommon color. Crate and Barrel's trendy subsidiary, CB2, is peddling a modern orange Swingline. Although, I can't say it'll be on my wish-list.

Image from a eBay auction offered by Mitchell's Memorabilia Company.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, February 12, 2009.

Stapler of the Week Archive-'BABE'

Parrot Speed Fastener Corp 'BABE' chrome finish with corrosion

This little 'BABE" has, as you can see, a lot of history. I'd been on the look out for an example since seeing examples featured by the Early Office Museum and by the Stapler Exchange. The 'Babe' was manufactured in Germany and distributed in the U.S.A. by Parrot Speed Fastener Corp, which later became Swingline. The 'Babe' features a sliding paper stop allowing the user get every staple the same distance from the edge of the paper. Another notable design aspect is the way the stapler shifts from stapling to pinning. Instead of the anvil plate moving, the entire top of the stapler moves at the hinge pin between two positions. The whole process seems just a bit difficult to me, but who am I to question the stapler that started an empire.

Excerpt from The Stapler of the Week, December 19, 2008.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Swingline 3P

Swingline 3P grey finish

Swingline 3P grey finish

The Swingline 3P has always interested me. When I finally acquired one, I was surprised at its size, only about 4 by 3 inches. When one considers the necessity of it fitting in the palm of one's hand, the 3P's size isn't at all surprising. It's basic design is taken from the Swingline 3 with the plunger action being driven by a lever which contacts the palm. It can be opened for tacking with the lever at the back of the throat. The 3P uses the same staples as the No. 3. I'm going to hazard a guess that the "P" stands for plier but the difference in size makes me hesitate to say the 3P the plier version of the No.3. I'm sure I'll find the answer but couldn't wait to feature this great stapler.

Swingline 3P box

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, September 1, 2008.

Stapler of the Week Archive-Swingline Speed Stapler

Swingline Speed Staper No 4 flat black finish

This is another stapler on loan from the Jack Pavlik collection. A similar Swingline model was featured in the Stapler of the Week on March 22, 2007. A similar finish can be found on a 1938 Swingline Speed Stapler No 3 featured by the Early Office Museum. I think you can find out a lot by looking at variations in paint and materials. What can I discern from the comparison of these two staplers? The design of the stapler didn't really change but the finish does. This flat black finish can also be found on typewriters and other office items (some of which I own) of the same era. The green version of the Speed Stapler No 4 seems to be a later version. The plastic has changed from black bakelite to a much glossier more refined plastic with the Swingline name inset into the top. In describing the green stapler, I made references to a WWII period drama we had been watching and I can only imagine the change in color perhaps references this event. Perhaps they had a few cans of green paint left over after the dust settled and thought, "Let's use it up on these staplers."

Excerpt from Stapler of the Week July 7, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive - Swingline 615 Saddle Stapler

Swingline 615 Saddle Stapler grey painted and chromed metal with rubber & plastic features

The first time I saw a Swingline 615, was in 2004 during a premarital counselling session with the white-haired scandinavian Pastor at my grandmother's Lutheran Church. I commented on the stapler and my fiance (now my wife) said she had used them many times (perhaps at the historic house museum or the University mail room she worked in during college.) I was entranced by it. I had made a few booklets in college but had never knew there was a stapler with the expressed purpose of binding these booklets. I had learned about the saddle stitch binding while working at West Publishing. In my two months at Kinko's, I learned to operate copy machines that would copy, fold and staple a booklet. The fact that these operations were happening with the use of machinery did not amaze me, it was the fact that such an odd looking thing would be designed for use by the general public.

In my pursuit of owning a saddle stapler, I found examples of electric foot-pedal activated saddle staplers for high volume booklet making. I almost bought one, but then, when would I ever be saddle stapling enough booklets to need it. The Swingline 615 is in no way vintage. This particular model is fairly modern and is still available for sale. If you search it out on the internet, you'll find it's not a cheap item new ($80 - $100) and that it takes special #35150 round wire staples. I have yet to buy a box and start making some more booklets. As the complete finishing service copier moves out onto the Kinko's self-service floor, I think a my studio and a Lutheran Pastor's office will be the only place to find one.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week Archive, May 15, 2007

Stapler of the Week Archive - Swingline "Tot 50"

Swingline "Tot 50", red plastic and corroded chrome metal

I have gotten a few replies regarding how the stapler of the week was their family stapler. The Swingline "Tot 50" was my family stapler. I don't recall it being used for anything except perhaps for the family taxes. My family can confirm or deny this but for the most part, the "Tot 50" just took up space. The pictured stapler is not the family stapler, but rather one I received as part of a large lot of staplers. Like other staplers, the "Tot 50", has been redesigned and remarketed. One of my co-workers showed me his little orange stapler and I didn't know what to make of it. It was the new "Tot 50" and I had no idea. There's a variety of colors, the optional built in staple remover or the version with a magnet to stick it to your locker, etc. It fits anywhere but as a result is fairly insubstantial and yet, it still holds a place in my heart.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, March 29, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive - Swingline Speed Stapler No. 4

Swingline Speed Stapler no. 4, green painted & chrome metal with plastic plunger

My wife and I have been watching the BBC series Foyle's War for the past week or so. Set in England during World War II, the program focuses on the fact that murder is still murder, even during war times, and Folye won't let you get away with it. The production notes of the film included some insight into theset dressing of the film. Objects needed to be old and yet look new as they would have in the 1940's.

So, I thought this Speed Stapler would be mildly appropriate for the film. These models were very much influenced by the streamlining of all things of the era. Was it faster than other staplers due to less wind drag? It must have been aerodynamically superior to have earned the title of "Speed Stapler."

Does anyone else think this thing looks like the sphinx?

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, March 22, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive - Swingline Cub

Swingline Cub light grey

Swingline Cub grey

Swingline Cub green

Swingline Cub red

Swingline Cub light brown

Swingline Cub black

These early all metal Cubs add the cute-factor to my collection. As with last week's aceliner, the Cub came in many colors. The Cub was redesigned several times in its life and still exists today as a standard half-strip stapler. These examples required 77 or Cub staples that went out of production 15 - 20 years ago and Swingline/Acco has since sold off their surplus stock. So, if one wants to use a Cub, look to ebay, goodwill or the antique shop for staples, as I haven't yet found a source for replacement staples.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, March 15, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Swingline 99

Swingline 99 two tone drab olive plastic and chrome finish

This little hand-held stapler came to me from some friends in the electronic auction ether. This model is still sold today, albiet with less appealing design and color. I'm not altogether to sure I like current stapler design. As more and more parts become plastic and "ergonomically designed," I'm less inclined to look at them. But here, the Swingline 99 fits perfectly in one's palm and is very much made of plastic. I think I can afford to contradict myself occassionally when the stapler is this cool.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, February 28, 2007.