92/9

Brades (Manufacturer)

A billhook is an edge tool used in hedging, coppice work and other woodland trades – the tool shows great regional variety with each area having its own accepted pattern and shape. This is a Hampshire billhook. It has a 9 inch, stocky blade with a curved end and a single cutting edge, and a wooden handle. The blade is made from high-grade hardened carbon steel. The billhook is inscribed 'Brades 187 // Made in England // 9 in', and is part of the Rumble Collection.

1 billhook: metal; wood; good conditionInscription on handle's label continued:...'will carry a sharp edge, fully warranted, do not grind on a dry stone'.

MERL miscellaneous note, Greta Bertram, 25 October 2013 – The objects 92/2–92/68 are part of the Rumble Collection, and were donated to the Museum by Mr Rumble in July 1991. The objects were collected or purchased by Mr Rumble or his father, and most of them came from either Camberley, in Surrey, or Somerset, where Mr Rumble had previously lived. He kept his collection in the shed at the bottom of his garden in Woodley., MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Recorder: JMB // Date: 7.8.92 // Description: HAMPSHIRE MOSS BILLHOOK // Shorter, stocky billhook with wooden handle // Inscription: BRADES 187 MADE IN ENGLAND 9 IN // On label: BEST QUALITY HOOKS // MANUFACTURED BY BRADES, NEAR BIRMINGHAM HAMMER FORGED FROM HIGH GRADE CARBON STEEL SCIENTIFICALLY HARDENED, WILL CARRY A SHARP EDGE FULLY WARRANTED DO NOT GRIND ON A DRY STONE // Dimensions: Total length: 37.5 cm // Associated information: One of a collection of tools given by Mr Rumble. Mostly collected or purchased by him or his father. // Hampshire Hook // References: TR SPE P2/A4’

Wood, Metal