The John S. Fray ampamp Company of Bridgeport Connecticut built an early reputation and brace building success upon the initial patent of Nelson Spofford who s first patent was for a type of split chuck often termed a clamshell chuck. John Fray apparently began manufacturing Spofford braces in partnership with a gentleman named Horace Pigg. Early braces are marked Fray ampamp Pigg Manrs Bridgeport Conn and Spofford s Pat Nov 1 1859. Stanley continued to produce braces using this design until