Identifying Acme Staplers

Acme used three different sizes/styles of main body castings for their staplers.   The "main body casting" is the part of the stapler that normally has the staples inside of it.   Using three basic main casting designs, Acme made seven different staplers.   The only difference in castings of the same type is the name of the stapler on the side.   Each casting was supposed to be marked with the stapler's name on the side.   Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Identification is confusing because of Acme's practice of using whatever casting was available to make up a stapler.   This isn't a criticism of Acme.   Back in the day, it was common practice to use up extra or surplus parts whenever possible.   Waste not, want not.   If Acme needed to make a batch of certain type of stapler but were short on castings, they would assemble the staplers using any main casting that would fit - regardless of the name marked on the side.   As a result, numerous examples exist of Acme staplers that are mis-labeled.

Here's a description of the castings and the staplers that used them:

Casting #1 - Sure Shot and No. 1 Staple Binders

The Acme Sure Shot Staple Binder and No. 1 Staple binder used a main body casting that was usually made from black-painted cast iron (rare examples of nickle-plated Sure Shot staplers exist but they are few and far between).   This casting is rounded and measures 6-1/2" long, about 1" wide, and uses 7/16" wide staples.

The Sure Shot stapler has a base that measures about 8" long.   The Sure Shot is operated using a 2" diameter,   nickel plated button on top.   The Sure Shot Staple binder does not have a lever.

The Acme No. 1 stapler came with a variety of different bases. It is operated using a 6" long, usually nickel-plated lever that extends out the front of the stapler.  The Acme No. 1 Staple binder does not have a large button on top.

Examples exist of Sure Shot staplers with No. 1 castings, and Acme No.1 staplers with Sure Shot castings.

Casting #2 - Simplex and Midget Staple Binders

The Simplex and Midget staplers also used identically-sized (and therefore interchangeable) main castings.   These castings are have squared sides, are nickel-plated, measure 4-5/8" long and 5/8" wide and use 1/4" wide staples.   The castings are identical in every respect except for the name on the side.   The Simplex staplers are supposed to have have "Simplex" cast into the side in raised letters, the Midget should be marked "Midget".

The Simplex stapler has a base that measures 5-1/2" long.   The base may be unmarked or may be marked with the manufacturer's name.  The Simplex is operated with a 1-3/4" diameter button on top.   Simplex Staple binders never have a lever.

The Midget Staple Binder has a 9" long base.  Depending on vintage, the base is marked with the manufacturer's name or with both the manufacturer's name and patent date.   It is operated using a 3-1/4" long nickel-plated lever that extends out the front of the stapler.   Midget staplers always have a lever.   Later version of the Midget have a Simplex-like 1-3/4" button on top.

Many examples exist of Simplex staplers with Midget castings, and Midget staplers with Simplex castings.

Confused yet?   It only gets worse.   The third main casting type is shared by three different staplers - The Junior, No. 2 Staple Binder, and the Acme Handstitch.  This casting looks like an oversized Midget casting.   It has squared sides, is nickel-plated, measures about 6" long and 7/8" wide and use 5/16"" wide staples.   The castings for these three machines are identical in every respect except for the name that is supposed to be on the side.

The Junior stapler looks like an oversized Simplex. It has a base that measures about 6-1/2" long.   The base is not marked with a manufacturer's name or patent date.  The Junior is operated with a 2" diameter button on top.   Junior Staple binders never have a lever.

The No. 2 Staple Binder has a 10-1/2" long base.  It looks like an oversized Midget Stapler. The base may be marked with the manufacturer's name or with both the manufacturer's name and patent date.   It is operated using a 4-1/2" long nickel-plated lever that extends out the front of the stapler.   No. 2 staplers always have a lever.

The Acme Handstitch stapler is bizarre and unmistakable.   Technically, is is a plier-type stapler, but it is unlike any other plier stapler ever made.   The main casting is the same size as the Junior and No. 2, but Handstitch castings can be made from either nickel plated cast iron or aluminum.   The stapler measures about 7" long, 1-1/2" wide, and 7" high.   It is operated using a backward-pointing 5" long aluminum lever.

Many examples exist of Junior, No. 2, and Handstitch staplers with incorrect castings.   In fact, there are probably more No. 2 and Junior staplers incorrectly marked "ACME HANDSTITCH" than there are actual Handstitch staplers.

For more information, see the Acme Staplers page.

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