Thread: Wm Congreaves/ Naylor and Co's Celebrated Steel

This 9/8 Congreve is marked WR and made with Naylor and Co's Celebrated steel. I have been trying my hand at Neil Miller's ability to know and find out about such things. I am afraid I am a dismal failure!
I have however learned some things. Perhaps Neil will come along and correct some of them!
I have found little about Congreve after searching other than they made fine cutlery in Sheffield from 1825 til 1865. More on them would be good to know.
It seems the Naylor name in steelmaking spanned at least 3 generations back when. Naylor and Sanderson was founded in 1776 by George Naylor, Thomas Sanderson, and a filemaker named Daniel Brammal. They imported most steel from suppliers such as Swallow of the Atterworks until 1822 when they aquired the Swallow Works and became the largest crucible steel makers in Sheffield.
It Seems a son, George, was born in 1769 and worked in the company until retiring in 1829. Stay with me!! HIS son, George Portis Naylor who was born in 1800 and apparantly was with the company as well, until his father's retirement, whereupon he left the company and it became Sanderson Bros. (another long story!)
Then George Portis Naylor joined with to form Naylor, Hutchinson, and Vickers (Vickers was Naylor's son in law who had a big steel-rolling operation). The only mention I have found for simply "Naylor and Co" is where Naylor, Hutchinson, and Vickers were petitioned by the Master Cutler over a bank failure and the company was named Naylor and Co in the proceedings.

Since William's Reign was from 1830-1837 it would seem this razor was made during the Naylor, Hutchinson, and Vicker's days. I suppose Naylor's name was synonomous with fine steel and would have represented the "steel" in the company. OR it was made later than William's reign by Naylor and Co after the bank failure of 1843 and marked WR (as I have heard they sometimes did).
Anyway it is a nice piece. The scales are obviously not original. I wonder what kind of horn/collar was on it originally. It would be nice to get it back close to what it was!
Tom

Wm Congreaves

Sorry. But where is this stamp?
I see the stamp of Charles Congreve, who was born in Sheffield on 20 March 1799.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...tml#post845649

Originally Posted by manah

Sorry. But where is this stamp?
I see the stamp of Charles Congreve, who was born in Sheffield on 20 March 1799.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...tml#post845649

Ah, My mistake there, Manah! I suppose I had WR on the mind! (probably Wm Greaves as well!) I tried to edit, but could not! It would change in the editor, but as I submitted, it came back as it was! I will try again! Thanks!

Now I could correct! I saw nothing about Congreve being a partner! So, Manah, do you think this razor was made as he was affiliated with Naylor, Hutchinson, and Vickers, or after He left them in 1834?

Sir William Congreve, 2nd Baronet (20 May 1772 – 16 May 1828) was an English inventor and rocket artillery pioneer distinguished for his development and deployment of Congreve rockets.

You sure you don't have a rocket?


NICE ROCKET SIR!!!!

Originally Posted by Wullie

Sir William Congreve, 2nd Baronet (20 May 1772 – 16 May 1828) was an English inventor and rocket artillery pioneer distinguished for his development and deployment of Congreve rockets. You sure you don't have a rocket? NICE ROCKET SIR!!!!

Well, In this case, I surely learn from my mistakes! Thanks, Wullie!

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Well, In this case, I surely learn from my mistakes! Thanks, Wullie!

No charge.

ALWAYS glad to help a brother in Houston.

That is some pretty interesting history, but aside from that, you have one beastly razor there. Very nice. How does it shave?

Originally Posted by Wullie

No charge.

ALWAYS glad to help a brother in Houston.

That's the silliest looking dog I've ever seen. I can't stop chuckling....

Originally Posted by Costabro

That's the silliest looking dog I've ever seen. I can't stop chuckling....

What dog?...