Butterfield Appraisal

Vintage Butterfield Derby Tap and Die Set with Pipe Cutters

This is a vintage industrial tap and die set housed in a specialized metal tool chest, specifically identified as a 'Derby' series, which was a well-known line produced by the Butterfield Division of Union Twist Drill Co. The set includes multiple round-split dies, a long-handled blue die stock, and two C-style pipe cutters (one larger blue unit and one smaller red unit). The tools are constructed from high-grade hardened tool steel, with the die stock and larger cutter finished in a distinctive industrial blue powder coating or enamel. The set appears to be configured for pipe threading and metalwork. Physically, the die stock features long handles for increased leverage, and the various dies are categorized by size for specific thread pitches. The condition shows significant signs of use and age; there are visible paint chips, surface oxidation (rust) on the unpainted steel surfaces of the dies, and general wear from friction and contact. The metal storage box is a muted green color with a piano-hinged lid, showing scuffs and paint loss consistent with mid-20th-century professional use. The craftsmanship is heavy-duty and professional-grade, typical of American-made industrial tools from the 1940s to 1960s. Notable features include the robust screw-adjustment mechanisms on the cutters and the traditional circular die shapes characteristic of the Derby line.