Other Types of Corkscrews


Ladies' corkscrews are small corkscrews of elegant design with upright handles of bone, ivory, mother of pearl or silver. Too small for drawing the corks out of wine bottles, they were probably intended for opening scent bottles or cosmetic jars and were usually produced en suite with travelling dressing-cases. They were particularly fashionable between 1880 and 1910. Although they are relatively elusive their value is slightly lower than that of silver-mounted travelling corkscrews.

Mechanical corkscrews form the largest and most varied category and incorporate an enormous range of mechanical gadgets and accessories. They may be found with double thread, double action, broad helix screws or adjustable wing-nuts, while the most desirable models have unusual locking devices concealed in the handles.

Bar corkscrews are invariably of much heavier construction and include some form of clamp for attachment to the bar counter. They also incorporate a lever action cork extractor. These indispensable tools of the publican's trade were patented from about 1860 and there are many types still in current production. The more collectable varieties include the Don heavy brass cylinder angled bar corkscrew with counter clamp and two-stroke lever action. The 'Original Safety' has a steel vertical bar, chromium plated neck vice, single-lever action and comparatively decorative handle.

Trade corkscrews are usually of fairly functional appearance but their chief interest lies in the inscriptions on them. Medicine corkscrews were supplied by pharmacists and druggists with medicine bottles and will be found bearing the names of patent medicines. These are the most ephemeral of corkscrews and many of them must have been discarded, with the result that they are now fairly elusive. Because of their interest to collectors of medical antiques they are highly desirable in proportion to their intrinsic worth. The more elaborate types include a small medicine spoon in the handle.Wine merchants, brewers and distillers often gave away corkscrews advertising their wares. Again, the screws themselves are of little intrinsic value, but are generally of robust, simple design and bear the names of companies and their brands.

Henshall's Patent King's Screw of 1795 was the first of a long line of mechanical screws. It had double thread and double action and was housed in an elegantly polished brass cylinder. The bone handle usually incorporated a small brush. Later Henshall screws were made of steel with an all-steel casting. Weir's Patent (1894) was the first corkscrew to be fitted with a concertina screw, steel hinges, wire screw and a distinctive neck ring pull.

Pick Up A Pocket Corkscrew


The convenience of the pocket corkscrew does not need to be emphasised. People have been taking wine on picnics since the fashion for dining in the open air began in the 18th century. The pocket corkscrew was developed in the mid 1700s but is perhaps even more useful today. Hampers and other picnicking paraphernalia were an option in those days (you probably had someone to carry your belongings) but nowadays, with our rucksacks on our backs, a compact devise is imperative.

The beauty of the pocket corkscrew is that not only is it small and portable but also less dangerous than sticking a regular corkscrew in your pocket. The worm is generally enclosed in a sheath that protects your pocket and hands from the worm's point. Good design means that the sheath will then double as a neat detachable handle. Early pocket corkscrews were made of metal and designed so the cross piece fitted snuggly inside the worm and could be easily carried. The crosspiece could then be detached and fitted through a round loop in the top of the worm ready for action. The disadvantage of this system was that either the peg or worm could easily be lost. Consequently the older pocket corkscrew is quite rare. An English steel peg and worm c.1780 is valued at $80 - $100. Dated slightly later is the pocket corkscrew with barrel-shaped handle. A fine example by Samuel Pemberton of Birmingham with a mother-of-pearl handle and reeded silver bands c.1800, was on sale recently for $880.

As with many collectibles, the price paid for a corkscrew will increase if the item carries printed information such as manufacturer's stamp, patent date, design name, advertiser's logo or coat of arms. These are often easier to find on more modern designs. A contemporary pocket corkscrew will often make use of two worms intertwined to make it easier to properly position the corkscrew and have a separate sheath. There are also neat designs using a bottle opener doubling as a pull for the corkscrew - collectibles of the future?