I found this today at an old park that keeps producing old 1900s goodies.not sure about this? Any ideas? Thanks
it says Winchester backwards on the top and has the number 255 on it
My guess is a printer's plate. Looks like a mallet and chisel .. Stone Maker maybe? Not sure what the connection to Winchester would be unless it is the town of Winchester?
old newspaper print block for sure. according to wikipedia, following WW1 Winchester did business selling general merchandise including tools and partnered with Keen Kutter during the 20's. I suspect this ad was from that time frame when some of their business ventures were outside the firearms world that they are generally known for.
It is a printing plate for a newspaper or magazine. In the 1930s Winchester marketed a lot of products under their name even though they weren't actually made by them. They had flashlights, roller skates, and lots of tools and sporting goods. I'd say yours was probably a plate for advertising the chisel which they marketed a lot of, or it may have been for an ad for tools in general. I have a similar one with the copper facing remaining for a fishing lure. Cool find!!