Carving /Gouge Chisel – W. Butcher 1900’s and 50 similar items

The chisel is 9 inches long including a handle of 4 inches. The identification markings in order from the blade back to the tang is …. a circle with an R in it, a five feathered arrow and the Maltese cross. It has an octagonal bolster which means the tool is from the 19th or very early 20th century, a round bolster would mean manufactured 1910 or later. In the days before ferrules ( pre 1850’s) bolsters were wide so that hitting a handle with a mallet would not cause the tang to drive further into the handle. Post ferrule introduction bolsters were largely redundant and they got smaller. Turning tools, are not hit/struck so this is a gouge. The patent on the handle establishes it was made by W. Butcher Ltd. which traces its roots to 1725 Sheffield steel tools for plantations in the West Indies and Brazil – mainly saws, machetes, cutlasses and edge tools. The company distributed in the U.S. , During the 1850's and 60's they increased their trade and fortunes in America with the sale of the famous Bowie knife. They became the chief exporters of files to the American market. Wade Butcher’ became one of the best-known razor brands in America. ‘So great was the fame of this firm that many people speak of all old Sheffield razors as Wade Butchers’ (Lummus, 1922). William and Samuel also catered for the American demand for Bowie knives (Adams et al, 1990). After the Civil War, America developed its own steel and tool industry and the demand for Sheffield imports fell drastically. William Butcher was also involved in engineering projects and worked closely with the Pennsylvania Steel Co. in Harrisburg (U.S.A.). In 1865 the same firm employed him to supervise the installation of several Bessemer converters to produce bulk steel. Later in the same year William Butcher went to Philadelphia to set up his own steel works. The works were opened in June 1867 under his name and produced the first steel castings made commercially in the U.S.A. Butcher's intention was to produce crucible steel using the same methods as were used by the Sheffield steelmen. To achieve this he used craftsmen from Sheffield to set up and run the work. There is a double split and a chip on the wood handle of this 120 year old tool. The gouge edge is still relatively sharp, it has small abrasions on it. The condition of the tool is good considering age and use over the 120 years it has been around. Please see the pictures for the most accurate condition of the product. Examine the pictures closely as they are provided as part of the description.