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A stock and screw dies, used in screw making. The set originally belonged to a cabinet maker from Cumbria, and was probably used by him from about 1837 onwards, probably for making the small screws used in cabinet work. It was passed then to his son, also a cabinet maker, who died in 1924, and finally to the donor's husband.

stock and dies: metal

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘… // DATE ACQUIRED: // GROUP: // NEGATIVE: // PERIOD: // PLACE OF ORIGIN: // NUMBER: // DESCRIPTION: …‘This rather delicate stock and screw making dies were used by Mr James Graham, a Cumbrian cabinet maker, and presumably used for making the small screws used in cabinet work. The stock measures 5.5. inches long and 1.2 inches wide. At the top is a ringed hand grip while at the bottom is a screw, which tightens the 4 dies which fit into the rectangular hole in the centre of the stock. Each die is marked 1,2,3,4, and 5 to ensure that they are fitted into the stock in the right order. On the other side each die is marked '23', which refers to the size of the socket in which they are fitted.', Letter, Florence Graham to Mr Higgs, 17th May 1956 - '...It is probable that these tools originally belonged to my husband's Grandfather, James Graham, Born 1824, died 1873, and that he commenced using these about 1837. The frame to the Bow Saw and the Gauge were no doubt made by him in his early working days. // James Graham was the son of a Cumberland farmer, and spent his early life in the construction and repair of farm equipment, but in his later years concentrated on Cabinet Making. // At his death the tools were handed on to my husband's Father, David Graham, Born 1849, died 1924, and he was a craftsman in the Shopfitting and Cabinet Business. Eventually the tools were handed down to my husband, David Gerald Graham 1885-1953, who retained these for sentimental reasons...'

1837 - 1873

Stock, Die, screw