This is the classic American lead pointer. The original patent application for the Tru-Point mechanism was filed by Edward L. Cayo in 1949 and granted in 1950.  Mr. Cayo also invented the mechanism used in the variable taper Tru-Point before he died around 1956.  The rights to the Tru-Point were acquired by Virgil Dorstewitz around this time.  Mr. Dorstewitz was himself a gifted engineer and invented the sophisticated mechinism of the Trupoint Automatic leadholder.

All Tru-Points were manufactured by the Tru-Point company in Coloma, Michigan, which, I’m told, is now run by Mr. Dorstewitz’s son. According to the Trupoint website, the founder, closed upon the death of the proprieter in December of 2007, who’s name I will have to lookup.  (Update 2010:  Apparently the son of the founder is running the business although I can't seem to oder from the Trupoint website.)  Through the years they have produced variously colored and packaged versions for any company that desired it.  Consequently there are dozens, maybe hundreds, of distinct examples, some of which are:

Bruning Tru-Point
Keuffel & Esser Tru-Point
Dietzgen Tru-Point
Frederick Post Tru-Point

Prior to the introduction of the “Quick-Change” plastic cups of the Model D, the process of changing the abrasive was a messy job. The old graphite smeared abrasive sleeve had to be peeled off the inner metal cup and a new one adhered to it.

Originally, Tru-Points were constructed of a heavy cast iron base with a die-cast metal spinning turret.  Currently produced models have a plastic body with a heavy steel disk in the base which provides the necessary weight to keep it still while being used.  Tru-Points do not clamp to drawing boards, they rely on their wide base and substantial weight to stay put while in use.

The old metal Tru-Point lead pointers produced from the 1950s through the 1970s (not the newer plastic ones) are responsible for disfiguring countless leadholders.  The leadholder guide was integrated with the die-cast metal turret and would wear the leadholder’s barrel or grip where it contacted the guide.  It is quite common to see the grip of older Koh-I-Noor 5611 lead holders with evidence of this (though I’ve replaced my old ones with good ones).