DAVID HORNE’S GRIPPER COLLECTION
I have compiled a comprehensive list of all the grippers I have in my collection, as many people have asked me about it at some point or other.
AVON
Spring Steel Gym Grip. 1991. Cone shaped spring gripper, like the one advertised by Weider. Made in Taiwan for Avon Products, Inc., Distr., New York.
BRITON
Alfred J. Briton Spring Grip Dumbbells. With 5 springs and leather covered handles. In cardboard box. Pair. Alfred J. Briton c.1930s, author of Secrets of Colossal Strength, where in among the four feats of strength, he shows you how to bend steel bars and spikes and break a horseshoe.
CHARRIERE
Dynamometer (pictured left). This is a 19th century medical instrument, which is very hard to find. On the instrument are 2 different engraved scales: the first one is ‘force ord-re des reins’ and the second is ‘force ord-re des mains.’ On the left of the instrument there is a inscription: Echelle de Tirage. Also on the left there is the inscription: Echelle de Pression. On the upper right side of the instrument is engraved a kilograms scale and a little stamp with the initials H.M. and the date 1877. In the middle of the instrument the word DYNAMOMETRE is engraved, as well as ‘pour les forces, Charriere.’ The large lozenge shaped spring still has its original leather cover. It is in full working order. In my collection, the dynamometer is mounted on a hardwood base to better display it. The large iron spring is approx. 9.5 inches wide (24 centimetres) and approx. 2.2 inches high (5,5 centimetres). Total height of the instrument measured from the base of the iron spring to the top of the brass part is 6.1 inches (15,5 centimetres). Joseph-Frederic-Benoit Charriere (1803-1876): Paris Surgical Instrument Maker from Switzerland. This dynamometer is very similar to the Regnier dynamometer.
CHELLIS (W.H.) and McANANNY (F.W.)
Hand exercisers. Wooden handles with a ‘D’ shaped spring. I have a copy of the patent, it is numbered 766,019. This exercising device’s application was filed on June 26th, 1903 and patented on July 26th, 1904.
COLLIN
Hand dynamometer. c.1900-20. Dial has a 120k range, but this gripper only goes up to 60kg, possibly due to the weakening of the spring. Many old time strongmen have tested their hand strengths on a Collin gripper, and the results are in David Willoughby’s books and articles. However, I believe many, if not all, were done on a Collin’s type dynamometer, which consists of a single oval elliptical spring about 5 inches long. I have two of these medical type dynamometers, one a Medicon, and one unnamed, and these will be mentioned later. (See the picture to the left to note the difference)
COOPER (Henry)
Hand Grips and Wrist Exercisers. Made by Taurus sports, Haverhill, England. c.1970s. Cooper was a British heavyweight boxer active in the 1960s. Still in the box. Pair, red handles. Given to me by a guy in the gym. These are quite weak, and were perfect for my youngest son Alexander to start training on; now he’s onto the IronMind trainer.
D.P.
Nutcracker style gripper with black handles. Modern.
DESBONNET
Hand dynamometer sold by Edmond Desbonnet through his magazine La Culture Physique. I have the magazines with the adverts. c.1900's. Dial has a 120k range. Dynamometer consists of a single oval elliptical spring about 5 inches long. Made in France.
DRYER (J.A.)
The instructions state 1926, revised 1949. Chicago. Wooden handled nutcracker-style grippers with a large spread between handle of 7.5”. (Pictured left)
EAGLE CATCHER
Martial arts gripper with a black plastic frame. When I snapped my thumb ligament, I used this apparatus successfully for thumb rehab and training.
EXCEL
Adjustable gripper. Piston type ‘nutcracker’ gripper, similar to the Nautilus. c.1980/90s. U.S.A. patent No. 4,726,580.
EXER-GRIP
Rubber hand gripper. Made in U.S.A. c. 1960s.
EXERRINGS
Quite a few of these were given to me by Exerquipment, Inc., Oakbrook, IL, U.S.A. c.1990. Red, or black rings of various thickness and sizes. I have an advert with the powerlifter Ed Coan demonstrating these.
FBBC
Hard. Won at the ‘British Hand Strength Championships 2008'.
GRIP TESTER MACHINE
Dynamometre. French. Graduates from 1 to 55 decanewtons. Marked ‘Brevete S.G.D.G.’ and has a transferred date of 1969. Takes a 20-centime coin to work. This is a lovely test-your-grip machine, and works perfectly, although it does need some renovating. (Pictured left)
HANNIBAL
Supinator and Pronator exerciser. Black plastic. Made in G.B. Pat. No. 4.770.409. A nice piece of apparatus that could do with a way to increase the resistance. (Pictured below)
HEALTH AND STRENGTH
Exerciser, with patent roller grip machine. c.1900s. Still in the box. Red box = ordinary strength. Instruction sheet included. The ‘gripper’ handles are on the ends of the pulley exerciser, and these would be squeezed shut whilst you exercised.
HEAVY GRIPS
HG 500 Marked #41 out of a limited edition of 300. Bought in 2005.
HG 500 Marked #154 out of a limited edition of 300. Kindly given to me by Chris James at the British Grip Champs in 2007.
INDERAL L.A.
Brass coloured metal ‘nutcracker’ type gripper. Advertising Inderal LA drugs.
IRON MAN
(Pictured right)
‘Heavy’ Gripper. No knurling. Swapped from Joe Roark, July 2001. Joe got these in the 1970s. Manufactured by Warren Tetting for Ironman.
‘Extra Heavy’ Gripper. No knurling. Swapped from Joe Roark, July 2001. Joe got these in the 1970s. Manufactured by Warren Tetting for Ironman.
‘Super’ Gripper. No knurling. Swapped from Joe Roark, July 2001. Joe got these in the 1970s. Joe personally has never seen this gripper closed. Manufactured by Warren Tetting for Ironman.
‘Heavy’ Gripper. Early. Knurled. Swapped from Joe Roark, August 2001. Coloured red. Wide handle spread, 10.4 cm!
‘Extra Heavy’ Gripper. Early. Knurled. Swapped from Joe Roark, August 2001. Coloured white.
‘Super’ Gripper. Early. Knurled. Swapped from Joe Roark, August 2001. Coloured yellow. The strongest of the three.
IRONMIND
Captains of Crush #4. Inscribed ‘British Grip Championship 2002 Open 1st’.
Captains of Crush Trainer. Given to me by R.J. Strossen, 2002.
Captains of Crush #1. Given to me by R.J. Strossen, 2001.
Captains of Crush #2. Given to me by R.J. Strossen, 2001. Elizabeth Talbot closed this one at the O.H.F. dinner on 17/3/01.
Captains of Crush #3. Given to me by R.J. Strossen, 2001. Steve Gardener and I certified on this gripper at the O.H.F. dinner on 17/3/01. I first closed this on 24/1/01.
Captains of Crush #4. Given to me by R.J. Strossen, 2001.
Captains of Crush #2. Bought in 1997.
Captains of Crush #3. Given to me by R.J. Strossen, 1994.
Captains of Crush #3. With ½” filed off the handles. Given to me by Luke Reimer the Canadian armwrestler.
IVANKO
Supergripper. Given to me by Tom Lincir (President of Ivanko Barbell Company) with 4 springs.
JUBINVILLE (Ed)
(Pictured left)
Roark inscribed on the handle. Joe told me that “ Ed wanted to have a gripper made that would be slightly harder than the Iron Mind #3, and he was confident that the product he achieved accomplished that goal. It also seems he told me he had a batch of 100 of them made”. Ed gave this gripper to Joe, and Joe has given it to me.
KARATE GRIPPER
Large circular hand exerciser with short springs and leather loops for your fingers and thumb. From Margrace Corporation, C & Chestnut Streets, Middlesex, N.J. O8846, U.S.A. On box postmarked April 1974. Leaflet with it.
LA MAIN D’ACIER
(Pictured below)
French hand gripper. With 3 springs. I have an advert featuring this gripper in a 1930s La Culture Physique 
magazine.
LAFAYETTE INSTRUMENT CO.
Hand Dynamometer. Dial has a 100k range. Lafayette Instrument Co.. Lafayette, IN. 47903, U.S.A.
LEMLEY
Chinese made nutcracker gripper. Gripper’s spring is wound the other way. Ideal for a left-hander. Similar strength to the CoC #3, chosen and given to me by Pedro Alberni, certified CoC.
LEONARD (Benny)
(Pictured right)
A ‘nutcracker’ style gripper, with one of the handles in the shape of a dumbbell. It is signed ‘Benny Leonard’ on the handle. Leonard was a boxer who fought during the periods 1911-1924, and made a comeback in 1931. So the age of the gripper could be anything between 1910s to the 30s. It is nearly identical to the Korth gripper whose patent was registered in 1912.
LEWIS (Jack)
A pair of ‘nutcracker’ style grippers, bought with the Jack Lewis ‘Popular’ Spring Expander. Expander kit pictured on the back of “The Expander Way to Strength” by Jack Lewis, c.1932.
MARINE COMPASS COMPANY
Dynamometer, and wooden base (for leg strength testing), and missing the chain and handle for this purpose. Dial has a 2000lb range. c.1910. Marine Compass Company, Hanover, Mass. I have got a photocopy of a page from their catalogue illustrating it. You squeeze with two hands, similar to a Regnier dynamometer.
MEDICON
Hand dynamometer, oval type. Made in Germany. Dial measures 0-300, 0-100+. Date ?. Quite painful on the hand to squeeze this one.
NARRAGANSETT
Strength tester / Dynamometer. 200 on gauge.
Wrist Roll Exercise station. Fastens to the wall. Wallboard is oak. Roller is maple. Size is 36” x 7” x 12” deep. Tension adjusted with knob on the side, numbered 1-12. Roller has 3 different widths. c.1920s. Featured in 1926 catalogue.
NAUTILUS
Adjustable Handgrip. Piston type ‘nutcracker’ gripper. c.1980/90s. Boxed.
PDA
Standard of Strength calibrated gripper. 475 inch pounds closing torque. Seasoned. 30/12/01. Piedmont Design Associates.
Standard of Strength calibrated gripper. 520 inch pounds closing torque. Seasoned. 30/12/01. Piedmont Design Associates.
POPEYE MUSCLE BUILDER TOY GRIPPER
c.1970/80.
PRESTON (J.A.) CORP.
Wall Mounted Gripper. Weighted resistance is by 5 selector weights. c.1900. J.A. Preston Corp., New York. I restored this machine.
SAM SNEAD
Hand Strengthener. Zig-Zag style gripper, with leather handles. Hand strengthener for golf players.
SANDOW
Spring Grip Dumbells. With 7 springs. Pair. c.1900s.
Spring Grip Dumbells. With 5 springs (Ladies or Youths). With morocco covered handles. Still in tin box. Pair. c.1900s.
Grip Testing Dumbbells. With large spring that adjusts to 50kg and has a bell that rings upon closure. Boxed. Includes special polishing cloth and booklets/charts. c. 1920.
Spring Grip Dumbells. This pair have the fingers and thumb mound cast into the handles. One is marked L (left) and the other R (right). I have the patent of these on the wall, 1917.
SEARS
Giant Power Grip. With 6 springs. c.1970/80. Still in box. Red handles.
STEBBING (Lionel)
A pair of ‘nutcracker’ style grippers. I had these listed under Jack Lewis, but after seeing diagrams of Stebbings gripper in adverts in the Health & Strength magazine of early 30’s, in particular July 1, 1933, page 25, I believe it to be a Stebbing coil grip.
TERRY’S
Spring Grip Dumbells. Includes 4 springs from the possible 5. Pair. Blue in colour.
Red handled ‘nutcracker’ style gripper with flat-ridged handles. Pair. C.1985.
Terry Wrist Grips from the set above. Light blue in colour. Pair. c.1960s. Featured in an advert in Health and Strength magazine May 28, 1964, page 45.
Pocket Wrist Exerciser. Zig-Zag style gripper, with leather handles. Regd. No. 755887. Made in England. c.1930s.
Finger, Hand, Wrist, and Arm Developer. Boxed. Pair. Wooden painted pattern handles with a ‘D’ shaped spring. Similar to the Chellis and McAnanny Hand execisers. Made by Herbert Terry & Sons, Ltd., Redditch. c.1930’s. Includes 24 page booklet with it.
TETTING, WARREN
Sold through Warren Tetting and Weightlifters Warehouse.
Pro Hand gripper (Nutcracker style). Wire size .331. Given to me by Warren Tetting, Aug. 2003. Made by Warren Tetting, 1063 West 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, U.S.A.
Heavy (Advance) Elite Hand gripper (Nutcracker style). Now the ‘Grand Elite’. Wire size .312. Given to me by Warren Tetting, May 2003. World’s Strongest grippers made by Warren Tetting, Thor Strength equipment, U.S.A.
Super Elite Hand gripper (Nutcracker style). Wire size .306. Given to me by Warren Tetting, Sept. 2002. Beef Builder grippers made by Warren Tetting, 1063 West 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, U.S.A.
Elite Hand gripper (Nutcracker style). Wire size .292. Given to me by Warren Tetting, Aug. 2002. Beef Builder grippers made by Warren Tetting, 1063 West 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, U.S.A.
Grand Master Hand gripper (Nutcracker style). Wire size .281. Given to me by Warren Tetting, December, 2003. Beef Builder grippers made by Warren Tetting, 1063 West 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, U.S.A.
Super Master Hand gripper (Nutcracker style). Wire size .275. Given to me by Warren Tetting, May 2003. World’s Strongest grippers made by Warren Tetting, Thor Strength equipment, U.S.A.
Master Hand gripper (Nutcracker style). Wire size .260. Given to me by Warren Tetting, December, 2003. Beef Builder grippers made by Warren Tetting, 1063 West 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, U.S.A.
Super Advanced Hand gripper (Nutcracker style). Wire size .250. Given to me by Warren Tetting, December, 2003. Beef Builder grippers made by Warren Tetting, 1063 West 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, U.S.A.
Advanced Hand gripper (Nutcracker style). Wire size .235. Given to me by Warren Tetting, December, 2003. Beef Builder grippers made by Warren Tetting, 1063 West 7th Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, U.S.A.
THOMPSON
Hand exercising devise. Pair. Shaped like a dumbbell with the ends flat for the runners. Stamped on ends “Keep a good grip on your health. Thompson, Worcester. Pat. Nov 13 06.” I have the patent on the wall. 13th Nov. 1906.
VIPODY
Gripper/dynamometer, with a 150k scale. It also has an adjustable scorer, so that once squeezed to this figure the light will flash. Battery is in one of the handles. French. 1963. With booklet and boxed.
VOIT
Red plastic handle ‘nutcracker’ type gripper, with Voit marked on the handle.
WEIDER
Mr. Canada Hand Grips. Extra strong. Pair. Boxed, with instruction chart by Ben Weider. Weider Sports Equipment Co., Canada. c.1950s.
WHALEBONE GRIPPER
Original gripper now in Richard Sorin’s collection. This one is made of mdf.
WHITELY
Multi Power Grip-o-Steel. Medium. Still in the box. Pair, green handles.
UNNAMED
I have 19 other gripper sets that have no manufacturer identity.
