Corkscrew.Com - Spring Loaded Corkscrews

Spring Loaded Corkscrews

Although the basic concept of using a spring to exert upward pull on the cork was discovered both by the English and the Germans, the Germans seems to have been totally captivated by it. Herewith some results of the German fascination with spring loaded corkscrews.

As you insert the worm by turning the handle, the spring compresses on the lip of the bottle, exerting an axial pull on the cork. Continue turning the crosspiece, and the cork easily "climbs" into the space created by the compressed spring. It's like a turbo-charged Walker Bell. Ingenious.

Probably 20th Century. Probably Germany.

Here, the spring is on the shank. The sides of the frame are split and hinged to make it easier to remove the cork from the worm. A sliding neck ring holds the frame together while you insert the worm and pull the cork out.

Columbus. Patented late 19th century. Germany.

Another spring on the shank. The open frame helps remove the cork from the worm, because it allows you to grasp the cork as you turn the handle counter-clockwise..

Steel. Early 1900's. Germany.

An all metal version of the above.

Steel. Early 1900's. Italy.

A Walker Bell with a spring on the shank. This combination does not appear to work very well - once the cork has lifted into the bell, there is no more room for it to rise, despite the upward pull exerted by the spring. Compared to this, the spring barrel above that functions like a Walker Bell is far more effective.

First half, 19th Century. Germany.

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