Q:I inherited a pair of scissors from a great-great-aunt. The scissors are 4 1/2 inches long. There is a funny elongated notch in the blades and an adjustable threaded nut in the middle of the handles. One side reads, "Korn's patent," and the other, "Patent No. 47,766." It seems to have a pretty low patent number. Can you tell me the age and use of the scissors?

A:You have a pair of buttonhole scissors. George W. Korn of New York City was issued patent number 247,766 for his scissors in 1881. The first number may have worn off your scissors. The nut keeps the scissors from making too long a cut when opening the fabric for a buttonhole.