65/39

Sorby (Manufacturer)

An auger is a boring tool used in a variety of woodworking trades for boring long deep holes. It consists of an iron shank with a T-shaped handle at one end and a boring device at the other. This is a taper auger, also known as a 'reamer', and is shaped like a tapered conical half-funnel. It was used to enlarge, by side paring, an existing hole made by a shell or spiral auger. It is stamped 'I. & H. Sorby' (the name of the manufacturer) or the shank. It belonged to George Payne, a joiner from Sonning in Berkshire. On his death circa 1905 the auger passed to his friend Thomas Russell, also a joiner in Sonning, and on his death circa 1916 the auger passed to his son Leonard Russell, a builder in Sonning.

1 auger: metal, wood

MERL ‘Handwritten catalogue’ form – ‘AUGER // Crafts–Wood // 65/36–39 // Executors – late Leonard Russell of Sonning, Berks. // [pencil sketch].’, Letter, donor to MERL, 7 January 1965 – ‘Dear Mr Jewell // … // I know very little about these tools except that they belonged to an old joiner in Sonning named George Payne who, I think, must have died about 60 years or so ago [circa 1905]. They then went to my wife’s Grandfather, who was a great friend of George Payne. Thomas Russell was a joiner also and died in Sonning about 1916. // His son, Leonard Russell, became a builder in Sonning and specialised in restoring old houses. He had a great deal of knowledge and pride in the history of Sonning with which his family on both sides had been associated for very many years. He died in 1958. // It the museum would care to have these augers would you please record them as a gift of the Executors of the late Leonard Russell of Sonning. // …’

Sheffield

Metal, Wood