Builders

The following is an incomplete list of tattoo machine builders who contributed to the development of the craft.

Sailor Jerry Needles

Builders, Sailor Jerry

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Jan 16 1971. "...the only shade I ever use on roses is on the...
Norman Keith Collins (Sailor Jerry) Bio

Builders, Sailor Jerry

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1911-1973 Traveled as a merchant seaman and worked in shipyards. Tattooed in Chicago Moved to Honolulu in...
Sailor Jerry Flash Sheet

Sailor Jerry, Sailor Jerry

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This sheet of flash is likely an earlier rendition of a sheet he redrew...
August "Cap" Coleman Bio

Builders, Cap Coleman

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Augustus Coleman 1884-1973 Opened in Norfolk Virginia after WWI until 1950 His bold, quick style set...
Charlie Wagner Bio

Builders, Charlie Wagner

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Charlie Wagner is an early American tattoo artist.
Milton Zeis Bio

Builders, Milton Zeis

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Ralph Johnson (d.1962), a tattooist and banner painter, drew flash for the Milton Zeis...
Owen Jensen Bio

Builders, Owen Jenson

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1880's-1976 Owen Jensen started out as a railroad machinist. First tattooed in Detroit. Came to Southern California...
Paul Rogers Bio

Builders, Paul Rogers

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1905-1990 Started tattooing in 1928 in North Carolina. Sailor Jerry was influenced by and talked a...
Percy Waters

Builders, Percy Waters

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Samuel O'Reilly Bio

Builders, Samuel O'Reilly

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1875. Samuel F. O'Reilly opened shop in Chatham square in the Bowery of NYC. Trained...
Zeiss Special Model (SZ #6)

Builders, Milton Zeis

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Zeis made 1500 of these. The machines were were sold from 1941-1966. They were...
Zeiss Malleable Model (ZM #8)

Builders, Milton Zeis

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The tattoo business sometimes referred to this design as the "square top". Over the...
Electro-Engraving and Marking Model

Builders, Milton Zeis

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The light weight of the Bakelite plastic side-plate on this model made this machine...
Special

Owen Jenson

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With a chrome finish and the "latest" spring-clip cord hookup, this machine was considered...
Reliabable

Builders, Owen Jenson

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From a Jensen flyer, "This machine is medium weight and very nicely balanced. The...
Perfection

Builders, Owen Jenson

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From Jensen Flyer, "Heavy duty tattoo machine. This is truly the world's finest tattooing...
Coleman Prefab

Builders, Cap Coleman

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This early prefab outliner was pinned and welded by "Cap" Coleman.
Model #6

Builders, Percy Waters

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The Model #6 was available in a dipped (crinkle) finish with nickel trim for...