Trowel and Masonry Tool Collector Resource : History of J. F. Duffy, Chicago, IL

Please note

Because of the lack of published trowel and masonry tool histories, the information here is based on other sources that may be less reliable and certainly are incomplete. These include eBay and tools that I purchase myself that are the starting points for my research. I will write what I know as I learn it. If what you read here interests you, please check back often and look for revisions and corrections. Scanned catalogs are on Archive.org as pdf files. A few are links to other websites. Your photos and information are welcome. Please click on any picture to enlarge it. Comments are welcome, but any with links will be deleted as possible spam.

Monday, November 9, 2020

History of J. F. Duffy, Chicago, IL

1915 Flyer

This Chicago, IL, firm manufactured brick hammers, brick chisels, star drills, and concrete tools. The businesses operated under several names, all containing the name "Duffy." The founder was James Franklin Duffy (1844-1920), an Irish immigrant who was manufacturing hardware in Chicago by 1880. The earliest mention found in print is in Inland Architect and Builder, Vol. 8, Jan. 1887, when Mr. Duffy, his wife Minnie, and wealthy lumber dealer George B. Hannahs and Sarah E. Hannahs incorporated The Duffy and Hannahs Hardware Co. of Chicago.

The next article found is in The Iron Age, Vol. 51, 2 Feb. 1893:

Brittan & Bond, 154 Lake Street, Chicago, are representing the Duffy & Lovelock Tool Company, who are manufacturing a line of ﬁne steel tools. It is their aim to offer the very best steel tools made, and all goods marked Duffy are fully warranted. Their line includes vest pocket berry-box openers, hip-pocket crate openers, boot and shoe dealers‘ case openers, cigar-box openers, California fruit-case openers, Duffy's wine case openers, concrete tools, the Chicago gate hinge, cabinet makers’ bench hooks, bricklayers’ hammers and chisels, cold chisels, punches, tinners’ chisels, tinners’ punches, hand groovers, rivet sets, blacksmiths’ cutters and other tools. Their 1893 catalogue illustrates these goods with descriptions and prices.

In 1903 James F. Duffy, his son James Franklin Duffy, Jr. (1883-1957), and G. A. Buerk organized Duffy Manufacturing Co. By 1913 J. F. Duffy Jr. was manufacturing tools at 701 Fulton St., and his father was president of Duffy Manufacturing Co. at 214 W. Indiana St. The relationship between the companies is not known.

The tool business was still operating as J. F. Duffy in 1942, at 563 Fulton St., Chicago. We have not found any brochures or catalogs other than the single-page flyer above. The tools found so far are marked either "J. F. Duffy" or "Duffy Mfg. Co." and "Chicago."

The senior Duffy described himself as a "machinist engineer" in the 1900 US Census, and his 1920 Illinois death record gives his occupation as "retired inventor." Around 1905 both senior and junior Duffy and J. A. Duffy were officers in Old Duffy Distillery Co., and some of senior Duffy's patents were for distilling equipment. Two of the senior Duffy's tool patents are listed at DATAMP and the patented tools are pictured in the flyer above. The first 2 illustrations below are not masonry tools, but show the mark used in 1910 and business name in 1916.