Stapler of the Week Archive-Apsco 3003 & 4004

Apsco 3003 chrome and hammered gray finish

Apsco 4004 chrome and hammered gray finish

Here are two more models from the Apsco line. Each has the same sleek design as the Apsco 2002 featured September 14, 2008.  The 3003 is a smaller version of the 2002, retaining the austere Scandinavian design of the "deluxe executive" model yet scaled to fit the proportionately smaller surface area of the non-"deluxe executive" desk.  This in contrast to the recently featured Swingline No. 3 which is really only  a shorter version of the No. 4.  The 4004 is the "dual-purpose" model, for use as a plier, tacker or desktop stapler.  Two more examples that fall under the "great things come from Sweden" category.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, November 2, 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-Neva Clog P-50

Neva Clog P-50 steel brushed metal finish

When it rains, it pours. In the last month I have learned about three new Neva Clog staplers. The appearance of the P-50 connects a model number with the US2033599 patent drawing. At first, I was a bit puzzled by its appearance, the spring button that pushes up through the anvil plate. Fortunately, the patent drawing explains its purpose. The anvil of the P-50 is designed solely to pin and the button prevents the staple from bending up in the middle, producing a easily removable staple. The design seems almost limiting but I am sure with knowledge of its intended application, it makes perfect sense. In any case, I am only too pleased to share another chapter of the Neva Clog story.

detail of US2033599 patent drawing

detail of US2033599 patent drawing

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, October 1, 2009.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Neva Clog M-100 & MB-100

Neva Clog M-100 chrome finish

Every now and then something comes along and renews my passion for staplers. Best described as a "Franken-stapler", the M-100 is a S-100 with a modified jaw. I have every reason to believe it was Neva Clog factory modification as evidenced in the photo below from a recent online auction. The box is labeled "Special Neva Clog Stapling Plier Model MB-100," indicating the MB-100 is most likely a modified B-100. It gives me great hope to know there are more Neva Clog "Special" staplers out there. From browsing Neva Clog patents, I know there were many more stapler designs than staplers I've seen and that means many more Neva Clog to find. Cherchez l'agrafeuse!

Neva Clog MB-100 image from a recent online auction

Excerpt from The Stapler of the Week, September 23, 2009.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Arrow Commander

Arrow Commander steel blue and corroded finish

The Arrow Commander is by no means a remarkable stapler. Like the Markwell RX-45 and Neva Clog staplers featured March 2, 2008, the Commander components are punched and formed from sheets of steel. When I was in elementary school, my father was a punch-press operator for Tonka Toys in Mound, Minnesota. The simplicity of design and construction found in the Commander reminds me of those early Tonka trucks I played with in my youth. It's really quite interesting to wonder at all the products made of pop-rivets and sheet metal. One need only to add some real rubber wheels and my friend Gary in Duluth might add it to his annual Tonka window display.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, April 6th, 2009.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Bostitch P-4

Bostitch P4 stapler steel black finish

The Bostitch P4 is another fine stapler design by J.F. Cavanagh. Perhaps you remember the Bostitch P1 stapler featured May, 24, 2008. The P4 has the look of a staple gun tacker but Cavanagh included an anvil plate with a very deep throat. The combination of increased staple-driving leverage and the extended reach of the anvil plate suggests it was designed for commercial or industrial use. In my opinion, at the time the P4 and the P1 were two of the more innovative stapler designs offered by Bostitch. They took the power of a tacker and applied it for stapling good, not evil.

detail of J.F. Cavanagh patent 2,095,659 Fastener Applying Device

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, March, 30, 2009.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Markwell RTP

Markwell RTP steel chrome finish

Markwell RTP steel chrome finish

The Markwell RTP is remarkable for its ornate engraved decoration announcing everything you need to know about it. This engraving lets you know which and how many staples you'll use, how far you have to insert the paper to put your staple up to 4 inches from the edge, where you need to press to operate the stapler and perhaps most importantly "RTP" is the nickname you'll use for your Markwell stapler. I can't say what "RTP" is short for aside from the fact Markwell used similar model names such as the RX, RF, RB, along with many variations on these model initials by adding extra numbers or letters. In addition to these intitals, some models were also given additional nicknames, such as the Staple-Master, the Pacemaker, the Handi-Clip and the Staple-Robot to name a few. In any case, the RTP is a very memorable stapler.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, March 22, 2009.