John S. Fray Company 1911 Catalogue No. 26

The John S. Fray & Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut built an early reputation and brace building success upon the initial patent of Nelson Spofford who s first patent was for a type of split chuck, often termed a clamshell chuck. John Fray apparently began manufacturing Spofford braces in partnership with a gentleman named Horace Pigg. Early braces are marked, Fray & Pigg Manrs / Bridgeport, Conn and Spofford s Pat / Nov 1, 1859. Stanley continued to produce braces using this design until...