The compression spring in the handle works to close the jaw; the swinging handle opens the jaw by an internal linkage. This facilitated one-handed operation. This improvement on Irland's July 7, 1903 and Sept. 22, 1903 patents (nos. 732,858 & 739,316) is reflected in the 1906 "new product announcements" found in trade journals.
Further / alternate improvements appear in patent nos. 868,126 and 868,127.