Casting Molds

[Erick Singleman]

When HMC went out of business, who got the molds for casting the bronze fittings?  I am specifically interested in the 12 1/2. Did CCSB get the casting molds?

[Steve]

Very good question.  I would have to assume that either CCSB got them or they are lost.  Note that after about 1937, HMCo subbed out much (if not most or all) of their hardware.  I did some research at Hart with the casting pattern cards, but that was awhile ago and I didn't spend enough time or attention to answer all the questions I have now.  I think I'll need another field trip one of these days.

If you are interested in authentic hardware for your 12, I'm sure you know that Jim Reineck is the prevailing source.  He does great work.

[Adam]

I had heard CCSB - I think I saw a document once that stated such - something to ask Wendy....which I'll do tomorrow....

[HerreshoffHistory]

Mystic Seaport has hundreds and hundreds of HMCo patterns.

See:

http://mobius.mysticseaport.org/info.php?s=pattern+herreshoff&type=all&t=objects

They were rescued from CCSB by Paul Bates and Maynard Bray, long time ago.

They are restricted by CCSB to "non-commercial use", whatever that means, and Mystic does not allow castings to be made from them for this and curatorial reasons.

Patterns for the 12-1/2s, Fish, S-boat, BB-15, and one or two other designs were retained by CCSB and, presumably, are still held by them.

[Erick Singleman]

Very interesting

[Adam]

If I remember correctly the hardware on the CCSB 12 1/2's are more "original" then the Harding version. Could CCSB be using those patterns....? Just sent Wendy an E-mail....

[Erick Singleman]

thanks Adam can't wait to find out.

[Adam]

From Wendy....

"When we purchased the rights to build the Herreshoff H-12 1/2 from Herreshoff MFG all the jigs, patters & molds to build the H-12 were moved from Bristol to our shop in Wareham.  The H-12 as we build it today still comes standard with bronze deck hardware.  This deck hardware is made using the original Herreshoff MFG molds.  The keel is also still poured into the original Herreshoff keel mold."

I think that is pretty darn cool....

Just an FYI - CCSB can supply these parts to anyone doing a resto...At least on the 12 - I'd bet the others as well...

[Erick Singleman]

Great news

[Steve]

That's great.  CCSB told me awhile back that they supply authentic bronze hardware.  I didn't know the parts were cast with the original patterns.  Life is good.

[Erick Singleman]

I have been corresponding with Wendy at CCSB (emails and photos), and sure enough it appears like they have the original bronze hardware for the 12 1/2.  I am going to purchase a gudgeon and pintel to replace the broken worn out ones that I have and oar lock sockets to replace the cobbed up non original sockets that were added to my boat at some point.  The slow progress continues.

[Erick Singleman]

I received my new bronze gudgeons and pintels form Cape Cod Shipbuilding yesterday.  They are the same size as my originals, so they are not re-castings of original parts, but are indeed parts from the original Herreshoff molds like they claim.  I am very pleased with the fit up of the pin in the hole.  The reason I am replacing mine is that my pintel is broken, and the fit up was very sloppy.

[Adam]

Erick - that is great - Good peeps those Goodwins  

[Jon Brooks]

When we snapped the rudder off of Minx back in the late 1970's, the Goodwin Fan came through with new pintles for our new rudder.  We had a local yard build the rudder.

Jon   

[Adam]

why do I not remember the rudder snapping? Mast, Yes, rudder no....