Vanished Makes: Carew Patent Cutting Pliers

I found these huge 14-inch nippers at a thrift store.  Cleaned of accumulated rust, they turned out to be cutting pliers based on an 1870 patent issued to Frank Carew of South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts.  The primary claim on his patent application was for the replaceable cutter inserts dovetailed into the jaws.  The tool may have been made up until around the early 1890's.

 

Interestingly, a google search turns up postings of extremely similar cutting pliers marked "Todd's Patent", although I can find no information on this patent whatsoever.  Note the different shape of the jaw inserts.