Wiley & Russell 150th Anniversary

2022 Marks the 150th Anniversary of Wiley & Russell.

This firm was established in 1872 to manufacture thread cutting tools, i.e., taps and dies. The founders were Solon Wiley and Charles P. Russell, nephew of the founder of the John Russell Cutlery Company They acquired the shops on the Green River vacated when the Russell cutlery moved to Turners Falls.

The company's product line expanded with tools and machinery for farriers, blacksmiths and wheelwrights. This included a line of drilling machines, post and freestanding, for manual and power operation. The drilling machines uses the "Green River" trademark.

In 1912 Wiley & Russell Mfg. Co. and Wells Bros. and Co. merged and became Greenfield Tap & Die Corp. The Wiley & Russell name, along with all tools and machinery not related to thread cutting, were discontinued after 1916.