73/14

Spearwell Tools (Manufacturer)

A 2½ lb forged Kent axe head, which narrows at the neck before the socket. It has an all black finish. It was manufactured by Spearwell Tools Ltd., and is stamped with their mark and the size '2½'. It came to the Museum as part of a collection of objects from Spear & Jackson (Tools) Ltd., a large tool manufacturing firm which amalgamated other firms, including Spearwell Tools Ltd.

1 axe head; metal [steel]; good condition: as new

MERL Catalogue Form (temporary) – 'Sheet: 1 of 1 // No. 73/14 // Specimen Location: MERL// Collection: Id. No. 73/14 // Identification: Object name: AXE (KENT), Spear and Jackson // Other name: // Class: CRAFTS WOOD System: MERL // further descr. [tick] notes // Description: Condition: as new // date: 12.4.73 // Completeness: head only // date: 12.4.73 // Material(s): Steel // Dimensions: whole - L 19.5cm blade W 12 cm weight 2 1/2 lbs // Marks Inscription/Mark: [pencil sketch] // position: socket // method: stamped // Interest Association: Made by Spear and Jackson // Association: Place made Staffordshire Wednesbury // Association: Date 1973 // Repr. Cur. pho.: 60/11212 Cur. drawg. [tick] Other obj. see 73/19 // Reference Category: Records Source: S&J cat. '73. p.103 No. 3150A // Acquisition: Source: Spear and Jackson (Tools) Ltd, St Paul's Road, Wednesbury, Staffs // Method: Gift // date: Feb '73 //Notes (continued overleaf): Description: Forged head, with narrow neck before socket. All black finish. // Cataloguing Cataloguer: RJE EJTC // of: MERL: // date: 12.4.73 Store: Collection 3 [page break] ... [pencil sketch]', MERL Miscellaneous note, Greta Bertram, 13 March 2014 – The Spear & Jackson (Tools) Ltd. Collection was donated in 1973 by Spear & Jackson (Tools) Ltd., a firm of gardening and hand tool manufacturers based in Sheffield. The firm was founded in Sheffield in 1760 by Alexander Spear and John Love as Spear & Love. In 1820 Samuel Jackson joined the firm, and in 1830 the partnership Spear & Jackson was formed. In 1967, Spearwell Tools was formed to merge the gardening and agricultural interests of Spear & Jackson and another firm, Eva Industries. By this time, Spearwell Tools consisted of the amalgamated firms of other tool manufacturers – Brades and Nash Tyzack Industries Ltd., Edward Elwell Ltd., Edward and William Lucas Ltd., Isaac Nash and Sons Ltd., C. T. Skelton and Co Ltd., Spear and Jackson Ltd., Thomas Staniforth and Co Ltd. It is for this reason that many of the tools in the Collection are stamped with the names of these manufacturers, rather than by Spear & Jackson. In 1970 Spear & Jackson acquired Eva Industries’ interest in Spearwell Tools, and in 1972, Spearwell Tools was merged with Spear and Jackson’s hand tool division to become Spear & Jackson (Tools). The company continued to acquire other firms after 1972. For further history, see http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Spear_and_Jackson., Reference: Spear & Jackson Catalogue 1973, p.103, No. 3150A