Thread: The Stub-Tailed Shavers

Originally Posted by appa69

Another recent addition. Simply marked "hounsfield" . I haven't had much luck turning up much off that stamp. Attachment 213853
Attachment 213854
Attachment 213855
I didn't have to do much to it, so I didn't. I was surprised at how nicely the scales held up. It did have an area of rust on the heel that was not fun to hone through. The steel is rather hard. It shaves wonderfully.

There was a master cutler John Hounsfield in Sheffield in 1819.

Originally Posted by rideon66

There was a master cutler John Hounsfield in Sheffield in 1819.

Fantastic! Might I ask how you found this information?

Originally Posted by appa69

Fantastic! Might I ask how you found this information?

I remembered seeing the name before in a search for a different razor maker. So I googled the name and cutler and got a hit from a google book on cutlers. Then I googled the full name and cutler in Sheffield with the date and got a little more info from a google book Family names and Family history. Sounds like it was a small family that did well and there is a Hounsfield road near Sheffield University. Sound like that family name died out locally though. That is all I got. No real proof he made razors, but based on the look and style of your razor I would say it is right about that time period.

The Sheffield Indexers - Welcome to Sheffield Indexers Master Cutlers and Mayors Information Page - FAQ's & Facts,Sheffield Guest Book,Sheffield Indexers Message Forum,Sheffield Indexers Forum,Sheffield Indexers,Sheffield Indexes,Sheffield Index,Shef

Here is a nice list he is on it.

Originally Posted by rideon66

The Sheffield Indexers - Welcome to Sheffield Indexers Master Cutlers and Mayors Information Page - FAQ's & Facts,Sheffield Guest Book,Sheffield Indexers Message Forum,Sheffield Indexers Forum,Sheffield Indexers,Sheffield Indexes,Sheffield Index,Shef

Here is a nice list he is on it.

I have that same page saved but he is also listed in my Tweedale's Directory of Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers 1740-2013

Founded by George Houndsfield (1737-1801) he built his fortune through his business & marriage to wealthy heiress Elizabeth nee Twigg. His three sons, John, Ezra & Bartholomew became merchants in which John & Bartholomew conducted business in Pond Street as John Hounsfield & Co. & was directly related to cutlery & hardware. Between the years 1776-1814 the were partners with Benjamin & Jonathan Micklethwaite along with James & Thomas Barlow until 1819. Ezra Hounsfield moved to New York as his brothers' agent & made a fortune in hardware but also invested in so much property in Jefferson County, New York that a town was named after him which laid on the edge of Lake Ontario. He died in 1813 & in 1819, John became a Master Cutler but died in 1821. Throughout the 1820's & 1830's Bartholomew continued to conduct the family business in Pond Street as J. & B. Hounsfield. He also became interested in other things & partnered with James Chesterman who needed some investment to start his tape measuring business. Bartholomew was also involved with Philadelphia Steel Works in Sheffield & also registered a silver mark in 1831. He was also involved with coal mining & was partnered with Thomas Dunn & died in 1841 at the age of 67.

Does ANYONE know what a sword (pointing towards the toe)"J M",or"TM" then "cast steel " and a heart on the scales is? SRP GURUS RISE UP! Is this a worthy stubby? I believe it's mid 18th century cause the tail is almost non existent. I'm at a quandary and can't find it to save my life!

Originally Posted by Hillbillystixnstraights

Does ANYONE know what a sword (pointing towards the toe)"J M",or"TM" then "cast steel " and a heart on the scales is? SRP GURUS RISE UP! Is this a worthy stubby? I believe it's mid 18th century cause the tail is almost non existent. I'm at a quandary and can't find it to save my life!

I had a look through the 1787 directory and didn't see anything (sometimes cutlers who weren't making razors at the time but later were show up in other sections there, and there was nothing there as well). There are a lot of registered marks with similar style (swords and letters underneath) so it's probably Sheffield. I would guess that the razor is very late 18th century to very early 19th. The one on ebay is IMO overpriced - you can find ones in better condition for a lot less than that.

Originally Posted by ScienceGuy

The one on ebay is IMO overpriced - you can find ones in better condition for a lot less than that.

Wow! I guess! Just saw it. That guy is definitely reaching on that one.

anonymous Sheffield c. 1830, handle mother of pearl and turtle embedded on brass and scrimshaw.
Probably it was originally a couple, this has the number "1" engraved

Interesting razor Altus, beautiful scales, what is stamped on the tang of the razor?