Between the many corkscrew collecting clubs, one constant remains the same, the tradition of posting an annual picture of the 6 best corkscrews acquired during the year.
Best 6 - 2023
- Highly carved boars tusk corkscrew in the shape of a dragon with a very intricate Sterling silver tail.
- German D.R. Patent single lever mechanical corkscrew with bottle grips. Marked ANGEMELDET.
- Boars tusk corkscrew with mechanical frame and a Sterling silver bear's head with ruby eyes.
- Boars tusk corkscrew with a carved dog chasing a wild boar with Sterling silver end cap.
- Sterling silver figural corkscrew with a sheath and bladed helix with the handle in the form of some kind of big cat housed in a custom made display box. Most likely made for a doctor; the corkscrew would be used to open medicine bottles and the funnel would be used for measuring out medicines.
- His and her set of ebony wood handled corkscrews with a Sterling silver overlay.
Best 6 - 2022
- Large elephant ivory tusk corkscrew with Sterling silver end cap.
- Thomason corkscrew with a very unusual silver presentation plaque and an extremely finely machined archimedean worm.
- Stag horn Walker corkscrew with a perched eagle carved into the top with Sterling silver end cap and accents.
- A locking/folding knife and spoon set with case belonging to Major Douglas McEnery of the 16th Canadian Light Horse division; decorated with some of his beloved horses.
- Sterling silver corkscrew marked Hotel Victoria, England on the top with a Henshall type button and brush.
- Carved stag horn corkscrew in the shape of a dog with Sterling silver collar and chain.
Best 6 - 2021
- Antique pistol corkscrew with scrolled Sterling scales and Damascus octagonal barrel.
- Giant French faceted iron T handled corkscrew.
- Tusk corkscrew with the name M. J. Heney carved into it. It also has a cigar cutter and a silver elephant head with ruby eyes on the reverse. Michael James "Moose" Heney (October 24, 1864 – October 11, 1910) was a railroad contractor, best known for his work on the first two railroads built in Alaska, the White Pass and Yukon Route and the Copper River and Northwestern Railway. Widely popular, Heney was known as "Big Mike" or "The Irish Prince of Alaska". A glacier, mountain and range of mountains in Alaska over-looking Cordova bears his name.
- Boars tusk corkscrew with finely detailed Sterling end cap in the shape of the Greek god Pan.
- Boars tusk corkscrew with a dachshund head end cap and unusual helix.
- Boars tusk corkscrew with finely carved relief of a stag. The end caps as well as the shank and helix are gilt in gold.
Best 6 - 2020
- Antique pistol corkscrew with stag horn scales and a spring loaded blade marked C.A. SIEB.
- Giant store display corkscrew promoting Walker’s self puller corkscrews.
- Antique pistol corkscrew with ebony scales with mother of pearl decoration around the screws. Also features a spring loaded blade and removable ramrod.
- Beautifully carved Sterling silver wrapped stag horn corkscrew by Gorham. In the shape of a man wearing a hat; has two Sterling cutouts on each side.
- Large Ivory handled French corkscrew with an archimedean worm.
- Walker carved stag horn with Sterling mid cap and collar. The carving depicts an elephant with a wine bottle in his trunk.
Best 6 - 2019
- Large Walker corkscrew with carved ivory handle inlaid with Sterling silver decoration.
- Four pillar mechanical corkscrew with personalized ivory handle engraved with the original owner’s initials.
- Unusual Thomason style corkscrew with octagonal monogrammed silver barrel with floral engraving.
- Beautifully carved boars tusk corkscrew with Sterling end cap. The carving depicts a monkey running off with a wine bottle in his hand and his tail wrapped around a wine glass.
- Walker corkscrew with carved ivory handle inlaid with Sterling silver decoration. The carving depicts a horse hoof.
- Carved stag horn with Sterling end cap and top decoration. The carving depicts a beautifully detailed rooster head.
Best 6 - 2018
- Walker corkscrew with carved ivory handle inlaid with Sterling silver grape leaves and clusters as well as a Sterling collar above the shank. The majority of the ivory has been "inked" which is very unusual unless it is done as a monogram or family crest.
- Massive display corkscrew believed to have been made for The Great Exhibition which was held in London in 1851. Measuring an impressive 13 inches tall, this corkscrew would have been crafted by a master cutler to showcase his skills. The handle is made of ebony, the shank has multiple facets, and the button measures 3.25 inches wide. The helix is an archimedean worm with 30 full turns.
- Hull patent direct pressure corkscrew. Pulling the pin away from the handle releases the helix from the shank. Applying direct pressure spins the helix into the cork. Re-inserting the pin into the handle locks in the helix and allows the user to remove the cork.
- Ivory handled utensil set with knife, spoon, and fork with corkscrew. The scales of this utensil set are decorated with sailing ships and the personalization “Capt. A. W. Jenkins.” The knife blade is marked RODRIGUES 42 PICCADILLY (London). Henry Rodrigues was a retailer in Picadilly, London. The spoon and fork have the Brookes & Crookes, Sheffield maker’s mark. c.1865.
- Very rare gun with corkscrew trigger. These small guns would have been screwed into a nightstand and been used to scare away intruders. This is an early black powder version with a small handle which only allows for the user's thumb. Complete with original case, attached ramrod & another tool.
- Another early black powder gun with corkscrew trigger. This version features beautiful scrolled Sterling silver scales. The handle can be unscrewed while the gun is being screwed into the nightstand then reattached once the gun is affixed to the nightstand.
Best 6 - 2017
- Rack and pinion corkscrew with bottle grips and a rosewood handle. Thomas Lund’s British Patent No. 7,761 of August 3, 1838. Marked LUND’S PATENT LONDON RACK on shaft below handle. Marked on the sides of the frame LUND MAKER CORNHILL & FLEET ST. LONDON. The grips are marked LUND PATENTEE & MAKER LONDON.
- Very rare single lever corkscrew with sliding frame. Looks to be German, but little is known of this piece. The only other example that I have seen can be found on page 237 of the book World Class Corkscrews.
- Unusual single lever corkscrew marked Pelican Patent Lever on the handle. I have not seen any other examples of this corkscrew.
- The next two corkscrews may look rather common compared to the others in this best 6, but the historical significance of these two corkscrews is astounding. This corkscrew is believed to have belonged to Adolf Hitler. It is a large stag horn handled corkscrew made with German silver. One of the end caps is engraved "AH" for Adolf Hitler, the other with a swastika.
- This corkscrew is believed to have belonged to Hermann Wilhelm Göring (12 January 1893 – 15 October 1946) who was a German political and military leader as well as one of the most powerful figures in the Nazi Party (NSDAP) that ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945. This small boars tusk corkscrew is made with German silver and is engraved with the Goring family crest.
- This is a beautifully carved stag horn corkscrew depicting a chimp trying to snare 2 rabbits with a rope with a Sterling silver end cap.