One of our most frequently addressed topics is barmounted corkscrews including the Vintner, the Champion, and the Estate. In addition to those three, you'll find questions about these on this page: Cedon, Yankee, Bacchus, Rapid, and Original Safety.
Robert: I have a pub mechanical cork puller that screws to a table. On the base is stamped "The Merritt." Can you either give me some info on this? Its origin is England.
Ron: The British Merritt bar corkscrew was manufactured in two versions one mounted with an adjustable clamp and the other with a flat circular plate and mounted with screws. Cornelius Chambers, 13 Great Charles Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England was granted British Patent No. 4,564 on March 26, 1888 and later Canadian Patent No. 33,167 on December 18, 1889. The Merritt was manufactured well into the 20th Century. Examples often surface on Ebay as they were manufactured in considerable quantity.
James Lobenzana: I have had a heavy-duty, solid brass counter/bar wine opener with the words "Bacchus - patent pending" on it for several years. I have used it on a regular basis and had an unfortunate accident. The spiral corkscrew broke! Where can I get a replacement?
Ron: Replacement worms & other parts are available from the Bacchus manufacturer . , 440 E. Alondra Blvd., Gardena, CA 90248. See next question for website link.
Phil Brodsky: I have a solid brass double-action corkscrew, which mounts to a tabletop. "Bacchus" is in raised lettering, yet I have been stuck not being able to locate the manufacturer. The worm broke off many years ago, and I don't have the severed piece. How can I locate the proper party needed to replace this vital piece?
Shortly after Phil made the above inquiry, he wrote: "I found the maker of the "Bacchus" Champion corkscrew opener. They are similar to the "Rogar," but not the same nor interchangeable. They can be found Bacchus Wine Openerand their # is 310-323-3142. This might help others looking for the Solid brass repair dept.
James Lobenzana:I have had a heavy-duty, solid brass counter/bar wine opener with the words "Bacchus - patent pending" on it for several years. I have used it on a regular basis and had an unfortunate accident. The spiral corkscrew broke! Where can I get a replacement?
Ron: Replacement worms & other parts are available from the Bacchus manufacturer . , 440 E. Alondra Blvd., Gardena, CA 90248.
Marlene: We have a Rogar Estate Wine Opener and need to contact the manufacturer for a part to repair. We bought the "floor Model" and did not get a booklet for the address or phone number. Can you help us out?
Ron: Your "ESTATE" bar corkscrew is a reproduction of the Original 19th century Champion currently produced Rogar International., 1207 North Blvd., Richmond, VA 23230. Email: carole-rogar@erols.com.
Michael: I bought a Rogar product that broke (the handle on the Estate Bottle opener), and I can't seem to find a web site for Rogar International.
Ron: Rogar does not have a website. Here's the address for the company: Rogar International, 1207 North Blvd., Richmond, VA 23230 Here's an email address: carole-rogar@erols.com.
Robert Nelson I have a "Yankee 6" table mounted corkscrew, very heavy silver colored cast metal. It is about 7" above the table top when mounted. Can you tell me its age and origin; also what I might expect to get for it if I put it on ebay?
Ron: The YANKEE 6 is an early 20th century American nickel plated cast iron table clamp bar corkscrew. In operation it is mechanically opposite of the more common Yankee 7, a 1913 bar corkscrew U.S. patent by Raymond Gilchrist, Freeport, Illinois. Unfortunately we do not offer corkscrew appraisals or estimates but watch Ebay as examples do turn up from to time. Everything depends on condition - speed web helix complete, nickel plating intact, bottle grips not broken off, wood still painted the original black and so on.
Teresa: I have just acquired what appears to be a brass counter mount type corkscrew. It has a lot of design on it like grapes and the word "Bacchus." Can you tell me anything about this piece?
Ron: Your table or counter top bar corkscrew, which recorks as well, is a contemporary or modern example manufactured by the Bacchus Company of California. This is a modern reproduction of a 19th century bar corkscrew called the CHAMPION which was manufactured in great numbers by The Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport, Illinois. The original designs are based on American patent of September 7, 1897 and Design Patent of June 9, 1896 issued to Michael Redlinger, Freeport, Illinois.
Tim R: I have a Cedon, nickel plated, single lever, model number 4021 corkscrew. I need a replacement part for this thing. Any ideas of where to look?
Ron: Cedon is a German barscrew that has been marketed for several years. If you require a new worm try Artisans on the Web. They sell a replacement worm that fits the Cedon. To obtain other replacement parts I suggest you contact a dealer you may be able to help. You did not indicate where you live but if you live in the United States, try Wine Accessories.com who handle the Cedon.
Joe Seif, Pennsylvania: I am looking for a new worm for a Swiss Made Rapid.
Ron: I searched on the web and could not find a source for replacement speeds worms for the Swiss Rapid. I think that anyone who sells them new would know the distributor who could order a replacement.
Reuben Vollmer: I recently purchased an "Original Safety" clamp mount cork puller by Gaskell. It looks nearly new, but the tip of one of the bottle clamps is broken off. Are parts available for these great looking devices?
Ron: The Original Safety clamp mount bar type corkscrew was first registered in Britain - 1909 Registration No. 543083. The mechanical design of the corkscrew was first patented in England in 1894 by an American, R.B. Gilchrist, Chicago, Illinois. The Original Safety was manufactured in great numbers by Gaskell & Chambers in Birmingham. As the design is quite old (they stopped production of the Original Safety in the early 20th century) I am not aware of any place where spare parts are available. I do expect that a corkscrew collector somewhere must have a spare clamp but this may be difficult to locate.
Linda Gustafson, California. We have an old Yankee #7 bar corkscrew. It dosen't seem to function properly. Where can we get it fixed? It seems to put the cork in the bottle instead of taking it out!
Ron: I think your Yankee 7 may possibly be working properly. It works opposite to a Champion or a Yankee 6. To start you put the bottle in place with the handle in the down position and raise it up to extract the cork. Pulling down on the handle puts the cork back in the bottle and withdraws the speed helix from the cork. I think you were possibly using it expecting it to operate like a Champion / Yankee 6. Just reverse the procedure and if the mechanism is in good order, it should pull and replace a cork.
Geoff Graham: I have an "Original Safety" mounted corkscrew. It is made in England and has 'Gaskell' stamped on the inside of the bottle holder. It has a Reg. No 543083. It was presented to my father-in-law in 1980 for recognition of his Outstanding Service to the Auckland Club, Auckland New Zealand. He was President for the period 1978-1980. He tells me it is over 100 years old and had been in use at the Auckland Club prior to World War One at least. Can you give me some history on the corkscrew?
Ron: The Original Safety clamp mount bar type corkscrew was first registered in Britain in the 1909 Registration No. 543083. The mechanical design of the corkscrew was first patented in England in 1894 by an American, R.B. Gilchrist, Chicago, Illinois. As to value, the Original Safety was manufactured in great numbers by Gaskell & Chambers in Birmingham. I believe they are not too difficult to find, especially in England. Examples do occasionally appear on Ebay auction site (http://pages.ebay.com/index.html).
Ken Winiecki wrote: Hi. I got an ugly, poorly-made, gold-tone-&-plastic-wood replica of a tabletop decorker, similar to the "Estate" unit you can buy from the wineenthusiast.com website, from Goodwill for $20. But instead of "Estate" it says "Vintaire". Two questions -- from where did this replica originate, and is there any information available on the original "Vintaire"? I found "CHINA" cast on the underside of the base.
Ron: Any tabletop corkscrew for $20 can't be that ugly! Unfortunately I cannot provide any information on the Vintaire. It may be one of the oriental manufactured examples that occasionally surface. You should be pleased as you have found an Estate replica which is in fact a U.S. patent "Champion" replica.
Gary Poelling: I have a Champion wine opener, no date, says Pat. Pending. Is this an antique?
Ron: I assume you are referring to a table mount bar corkscrew marked CHAMPION PATENT PENDING. The Champion bar corkscrew was given U.S. Patent No. 589,574 on September 7, 1897 granted to M. Redlinger of Freeport, Illinois. They were made in great numbers usually marked Patent Pending but examples often surface marked with the patent. As it is over 100 years old it is definitely an antique.
Sandra Rubenstein: I have a Vintner wine opener and the worm has broken. I ordered a replacement worm from a wine accessories catalog but it did not fit. I would desperately like to obtain the worm that fits this opener.
Ron: The Vintner was manufactured by Rogar International 1207 North Blvd., Richmond, VA 23230. They should be able to give you the name of a retailer/supplier to obtain service parts in your area.
David Fleming : I'm a student at Fole College in Northern Ireland and am researching corkscrews, especially the Rogar design. Could you describe how the mechanism works as I am unable to get my hands on one of these machines.
Ron: The Rogar manufactured Bar corkscrews have a mechanism virtually identical in design but using lower quality components to U.S Patent No. 589,574 of September 7, 1897 by M. Redlinger, Freeport, Illinois. You have asked a question that would take me quite some time to answer. Fortunately the patent description and illustrations clearly indicate how the mechanism operates. Search the patent number at the U. S. Patent Office and click the "images" button for full details.
Chris deWaard, San Jose, California: I have a Champion which is acting up. I cannot find info anywhere on where to send it for repair! Please help.
Ron: It will be very difficult to find replacement parts for a circa 1900 table mount Champion bar corkscrew. If your model is not marked Champion but is a copy made recently by Rogar, search under edit (above) for Rogar to find information on this page.
Elaine Ryder: I own a Rogar Estate opener and need to order a part for it. Can you direct me?
Ron: The Estate is currently being manufactured Rogar International, 1207 North Blvd., Richmond, VA 23230. They should be able to give you the name of a retailer/supplier to obtain service parts in your area. Questions about Rogar products are often asked. Do a "Rogar" word search on this page for more information.
Dave Riser from Colorado davidriser@aol.com I have a "le grape" champion type wine bottle opener similar to the one made by Rogar Intl. The screw broke and I am looking for a replacement. The ones made by Rogar do not fit this product. The people at Rogar have received similar request re: le grape.
Ron: May I suggest you carry out an internet search for the manufacturer or a source of replacement parts. If that fails you can always start again and consider scrapping the Le Grape and purchase a serviceable corkscrew.
Don & Mary, California, U S A, doncond@aol.com. We are trying to locate a wine bottle opener commonly referred to as "an estate opener." We need one for a friend and would like to locate one in the southern CA area -Thanks
Ron: I assume you may be referring to a bar corkscrew that clamps on a table top or counter called the ESTATE. It is currently being manufactured by Rogar International, 1207 North Blvd., Richmond, VA 23230. They should be able to give you the name of a retailer/supplier from your area.
Richard Smith, Merlin, OR 97532, fraudawg@cpros.com. I have an estate wine opener and I am looking for a way to get it fixed. The plastic part that hold the corkscrew steady has cracked and now it will not operate.
Ron: Unfortunately some examples of the modern reproduction of the Champion bar corkscrew called the ESTATE have a weak point. In my opinion broken wire helix worm assemblies are quite common in this model but I should think the manufacturer can supply a replacement part. I would check with the place where you purchased it an order a new part. If not possible, I believe the Estate is manufactured by Rogar International, 1207 North Blvd., Richmond, VA 23230
Question: August 8, 1997 from Llwyd Nuttall nuttalls@netcon.net.au - Are there parts available for Champion Bar Bench corkscrews - soft metal bearing and corkscrew - or even complete Champions.
Answer: A modern Champion is currently being manufactured by Rogar International, 1207 North Blvd., Richmond, VA 23230. They even have a Sterling Silver commemorative edition...Don Bull.
February 2000: Gayle Stockl, IL, gayles1@ix.netcom.com. My son came across a antique wine corkscrew, with the name of Champion there's a Pat. Sept 71807 ( I think that's what the number is ) DES.PAT JUN.5 1886 ( I think that's what it reeads it's very worn. Any information on it would really help us.
Reply: Given the great numbers of these that turn up, The Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport, Illinois evidently produced a lot of "Champion" barscrews. They are frequently found marked CHAMPION, PAT. SEPT. 7, 1897 and DES. PAT. JUN 9, 1896 for patents issued to Michael Redlinger.