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Page 1 of 4
SCHEDULE 13G (1996)
Amendment No. 10
EASTERN CO
Cusip # 276317104
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Page 2 of 4
Cusip # 276317104
Item 1: REPORTING PERSONS
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. (Tax ID: 22-2370029)
Item 4: CITIZENSHIP
Delaware Corporation
Item 5: SOLE VOTING POWER
140,600
* Persons who are officers of Dimensional Fund Advisors
Inc. also serve as officers of DFA Investment Dimensions
Group Inc., (the "Fund") and The DFA Investment Trust
Company (the "Trust"), each an open-end management
investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. In their capacities as officers of
the Fund and the Trust, these persons vote 56,700
additional shares which are owned by the Fund and
22,900 shares which are owned by the Trust. (Included
in Item 7 of this page of this Schedule)
Item 6: SHARED VOTING POWER --
None
Item 7: SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER --
220,200
Item 8: SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER --
0
Item 9: AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED --
220,200
Item 11: PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY LINE 9 --
8.16
Item 12: TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON --
IA
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ITEM 1(A). NAME OF ISSUER
EASTERN CO
ITEM 1(B). ADDRESS OF ISSUER
112 Bridge Street
P.O. Box 460
NAUGATUCK CT 06770-2903
ITEM 2(A). NAME OF PERSON FILING
Dimensional Fund Advisors
ITEM 2(B). ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE
1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90401
ITEM 2(C). CITIZENSHIP
A Delaware Corporation
ITEM 2(D). TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES
Common Stock
ITEM 2(E). CUSIP NUMBER
276317104
ITEM 3. This statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1 (b), or
13d-2 (b) and the person filing is an investment advisor
registered under section 203 of the Investment Advisors
Act of 1940.
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ITEM 4. OWNERSHIP
ITEM 4(a). AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
See Page 2, Item No. 9
ITEM 4(b). PERCENT OF CLASS
See Page 2, Item No. 11
ITEM 4(c). NUMBER OF SHARE AS TO WHICH SUCH PERSON HAS:
(i). SOLE POWER TO VOTE OR DIRECT THE VOTE --
See Page 2, Item No. 5
(ii). SHARED POWER TO VOTE OR TO DIRECT THE VOTE --
None
(iii). SOLE POWER TO DISPOSE OR TO DIRECT DISPOSITION OF --
See Page 2, Item No. 9
(iv). SHARE POWER TO DISPOSE OR TO DIRECT DISPOSISTION OF --
None
ITEM 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS
If this statement is being filed to report the fact that
as of 12/31/96 the reporting person has ceased to be the
beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class
of securities, check the following: [ ]
ITEM 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF
ANOTHER PERSON
All Securities reported upon in this schedule are onwed by
advisory clients Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc., no one of
which to the knowledge of Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.
owns more than 5% of the class
ITEM 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH
ACQUIRED THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING
COMPANY:
Not Applicable
ITEM 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP
Not Applicable
ITEM 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP
Not Applicable
ITEM 10. CERTIFICATION
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge
and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired
in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired for
the purpose of and do not have the effect of changing or
influencing the control of the issuer of such securities
and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant
in any transaction having such purposes or effect.
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete are correct.
Signature
Wednesday, February 5, 1997
Date
Michael T. Scardina
Vice President and Chief Finacial Officer
Name/Title
