American File Co., Pawtucket, Rhode Island

American File Company, chartered May 1863, was unusual in that it started as a stock company with a large capitalization. It was also one of the first American file makers to mechanize. In 1882 they employed 200 men and had a capital of $500,000. Despite these advantages, American struggled financially and was bought by Nicholson File in 1890.

American File Works box

American File Co., photo by Gary S.

1890 Sanborn fire insurance map, New American File Co.

American's first works was at the corner of Main St. and Pine St., Pawtucket (see Google Street View below). The company failed, and this works was sold to Slater Cotton Co. The reorganized business incorporated in 1875 as New American File Co. The new works was at 152 Dexter St., Central Falls, adjacent to Pawtucket. The third location was in the block bounded by Dexter, Rand, Pine, and Mowry Streets, in Central Falls.

Pawtucket was a center of file-making, with about 9 firms in the late 19th century, with more information available at Early RI Toolmakers & Tradesmen.

McCaffrey File Co.

Photo by Gary S.

Hugh McCaffrey and his younger brother John, began manufacturing files in Philadelphia, PA, in January 1863 under the name of McCaffrey and Brother. In July, 1889, the business was incorporated under the title of The McCaffrey File Company. McCaffrey File Co. was bought by Nicholson File Co. in 1926. This link is for several pages about McCaffrey in the 1913 Hardware Dealers' Magazine. McCaffrey's address was 1839 N. 5th St., just south W. Berks St., in the Kensington neighborhood. The factory was just north of the famous Stetson Hat Co. factory complex.

McCaffrey & Brother bill head, 17 Sept. 1885

McCaffrey file box

1917 Sanborn map, McCaffrey File Co.

1913 Hardware Dealers' Magazine

How McCaffrey files were made

Whitaker Manufacturing Co.

Whitaker Manufacturing Co. made hardware and agricultural specialties, including files, in Chicago, IL. They were in business from 1903 to at least 1974. The address in 1914 was 509 W. Monroe St., Chicago, and by 1917 it was 409-15 S. Green St., Chicago. Their files were branded Triple Diamond or Whitaker. One source from 1914 gives other brand names, but these may have been made by another company. In 1941, the factory was in Clearing, IL (now part of Chicago). Thank you to reader Gary S. for his assistance.

This link is to the hand tools section of Whitaker's Catalog No. 55 from 1941, and this is the 1941 Dealer's Discount Sheet for all of Whitaker's products.

Who's Who in Chicago and Illinois, Vol. 1, 1905

The Automobile Trade Directory, Vol 19, 1921

Stokes Brothers Manufacturing Co.

Stokes Brothers Manufacturing Co. specialized in horse and shoe rasps. Their factory was at Bannard St. and Vought Ave. in Freehold, New Jersey. The building still exists. Stokes Brothers incorporated in 1888, according to their letterhead, and Heller Brothers of Newark, NJ took them over in 1943.

Thank you to reader Gary S. for the photo of his rasp.

This YouTube video shows Auriou rasps being cut by hand today at Forge de Saint Juery in France, as they were at Stokes Brothers over 100 years
ago.

Stokes Brothers factory