North American Auction Company
Live Auction

Early October American Indian & Western Sale

Sat, Oct 3, 2020 11:00AM EDT
Lot 93

Billings Montana Ryan Grocery Co. Tobacco Cutter

Estimate: $500 - $1,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
For your consideration is a Billings Montana Ryan Grocery Co tobacco cutter. This antique cast iron cutter features a 5" cutting blade controlled by a pull-up swivel handle. The base is marked with a Patented date of Dec. 1, 1914. Stamped on the sides with raised lettering in a decorative outline is marked "Ryan Grocery Company Wholesale Grocers Billings Mont." This tobacco cutter is manufactured by T.C. Johnson Company in Illinois, as marked on the bottom. This item is in working order and the handle and blade move as intended. It shows a dark patina and surface rust indicative of age and use. This antique tobacco cutter was used in general stores to cut plug tobacco to order. At one time it was popular to purchase plug tobacco by the inch and this device was used to cut to the desired inch(s) being purchased. The cutter is made up of cast iron and measures 15 1/2" x 8 3/4". The opening to the cutter measures approximately 4 1/2", and the handle 13".