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Double lever corkscrews were first patented in the late 19th century. The simple idea of raising the arms, turning the worm into the cork & then lowering the arms for extraction has stood the test of time extremely well. A vast number of corkscrews are still in production using this reliable theme. |
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| William Baker's double lever corkscrew, patent no 2950, July 17th, 1880. Manufactured by James Heeley & Sons. |
Neville Heeley's English patent no 6006, April 23, 1888 for a double lever corkscrew. |
Here's a nickel version of the same patent, both corkscrews were manufactured by James Heeley & sons. |
| I've enjoyed compiling this corkscrew guide, I hope it can be of assistance to you. If you'd like to get in touch it would be great to hear from you. Peter@corkscrewsonline.com |

| Antique & Vintage Corkscrew Guide ~ Double Lever Corkscrews ~ |
© 2006 Peter R. Borrett
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| A French double lever corkscrew, marked Pratic Boy - Scout, Modele Depose. Similar to an Italian version patented by Placido Vogliotti in 1910. |
A well made nickel plated double lever corkscrew. |
Etore Cardini's Italian patent from 1945, marked ETERNO |
| HUNGRY FOR MORE KNOWLEDGE? I'd recommend you order of copy of Ferd Peter's wonderful book "Mechanical corkscrews". It's a definitive work that will satisfy the most demanding quest for knowledge. Available directly from the Corkscrews Online Book shop |
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| "THE EMPIRE". English patent no, 13,320, dated August 25th, 1890 to Neville Heeley & manufactured by James Heeley & sons. Designed to supersede the Heeley A1double lever corkscrew? If so, It appears that didn't happen as "The Empire" is very tough to find. |
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A French double lever corkscrew patented in 1929. This is the later of two versions, the earlier being of the same design but having a locking clip at the top of the arms. The original patent was to Henri Paraf in 1927, his wife Mme Veuve patented the 1929 design. |
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| Amendment to W. Baker's patent Neville Heeley realising that William Baker's 1880 patent corkscrew did not work smoothly improved the design by joining the two arms together with a guide. A simple addition to the original patent had produced a significant result as over the forthcoming years, the Heeley double lever corkscrew was sold in vast numbers, so much so, it is probably one of the easiest antique mechanical corkscrew to find. |