William Hunt and Sons: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|British masonry tools brand}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}} |
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'''William Hunt and Sons''' or '''WHS''' is a [[United Kingdom|British]] brand of [[masonry]] tools <ref>[http://www.shef.ac.uk/assem/2/2trowel2.html A history of WHS and their role in archaeology]</ref> and other types of edge tools. |
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{{Use British English|date=May 2021}} |
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[[File:Archäologenkelle.JPG|thumb|right|WHS 4" [[Trowel|pointing trowel]]]] |
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'''William Hunt and Sons''' or '''WHS''' is a British brand of [[masonry]] tools<!-- <ref>[http://www.shef.ac.uk/assem/2/2trowel2.html A history of WHS and their role in archaeology] offline 2022-03-05</ref> --> and other types of edge tools. The WHS 4" [[Trowel|pointing trowel]] is well known as a standard [[Excavation (archaeology)|excavation]] implement in British [[archaeology]].<ref>[https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/William_Hunt_and_Sons,_The_Brades William Hunt and Sons, The Brades] gracesguide.co.uk, retrieved 2022-03-05. – (The) Brades Steel Works, est. 1780 in Birmingham, UK; 1793: brand WHS; since 1960 brand owned by Spear and Jackson, Sheffield, UK.</ref> |
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==History== |
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Originally, in the 18th century, William Hunt was an edge tool maker at Rowley Regis, a parish of Dudley in Worcestershire in [[England]]. In 1782 Hunt purchased the Brades Estate at Oldbury near Birmingham and established a new works there known as Brades Forge, or just The Brades. By 1805 they were also making steel on the site, known at that time as the Brades Steel Works. Around 1793 William Hunt took W Cliffe into partnership and for a short period the firm was known as Hunt & Cliffe. The first date recorded in a ledger from Hunt and Cliffe was 9th May 1794. This partnership dissolved around 1803 and William Hunt continued trading on his own account until 1809, when the firm became known as William Hunt & Sons. In the late 19th century George Heaton became a a major shareholder of the company situated at The Brades Works. In 1828 they acquired William Edwards and Sons (incorporating the Eagle Edge Tool Company) and later the business of Bache Bros,<ref>[http://www.hildicksmith.com/page11.htm A history of Churchill Forge and the Bache Family]</ref> spade makers of Churchill Forge, near Stourbridge. The company amalgamated with Nash Tyzack to form Brades Nash Tyzack Industries in 1951, and later took over the business of Skelton. In 1962 together with Harrison they became part of [[Spear and Jackson]] who in 1967 also acquired Edward Elwell Ltd, all the companies coming together as parts of S&J by 1972. In 1985 S&J became part of the [[Neill Tools]] Group from [[Sheffield]], who still owns the brand today. Their major UK trade marks were BRADES and WHS, but they had many others, some of which such as Eagle, Giraffe and Pagoda were only used on tools made for export. |
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The founder of the company, William Hunt, was an edge tool maker at [[Rowley Regis]], near [[Dudley]], [[Worcestershire]], in the late 18th century. In 1782 he purchased the Brades Estate at [[Oldbury, West Midlands|Oldbury]], near [[Birmingham]], and established a new works there known as Brades Forge, or simply as The Brades. By 1805 they were also manufacturing steel on the site, which was now known as the Brades Steel Works. Around 1793, Hunt took W. Cliffe into partnership, and for a short period the firm was known as Hunt and Cliffe: this name appears in the company's first ledger, dated 9 May 1794. This partnership dissolved around 1803, and Hunt continued trading on his own account until 1809, when he took his sons into partnership and the firm became known as William Hunt & Sons. |
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In 1828 the company acquired William Edwards and Sons (incorporating the Eagle Edge Tool Company), and later the business of Bache Bros,<ref>[http://www.hildicksmith.com/page11.htm A history of Churchill Forge and the Bache Family]</ref> spade makers of Churchill Forge, near [[Stourbridge]]. In the late 19th century George Heaton became a major shareholder in the company. |
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In 1951 the company amalgamated with Nash Tyzack to form Brades Nash Tyzack Industries, and later took over the business of Skelton. In 1962, together with Harrison, they became part of [[Spear & Jackson]], who in 1967 also acquired [[Edward Elwell Ltd]], all the companies coming together as parts of S&J by 1972. In 1985 S&J became part of the [[Neill Tools]] Group based in [[Sheffield]], who still own the brand today. |
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==Brands== |
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The company's major UK trade marks were BRADES and WHS, but they had many others, some of which, such as Eagle, Giraffe and Pagoda, were only used on tools made for export. |
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== Archaeological trowels == |
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[[File:Archaeology Trowel.jpg|thumb|A WHS trowel]] |
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The WHS pointing trowel is prized amongst archaeologists in the [[United Kingdom]] who find its strength useful in digging heavy deposits. In his 1946 book ''Field Archaeology'', [[Richard J. C. Atkinson]] (best known for excavating [[Stonehenge]]), "unequivocally" recommended the use of a trowel for archaeology; during the postwar era, WHS and a competing brand from Bowden were predominant. By 1960, archaeologist Paul Stamper was told that a WHS trowel was a "prerequisite", and by 1999, he deemed it the "industry standard".<ref>{{cite journal |last=Stamper |first=Paul |date=April 1999 |title=Only one way to scratch up the dirt |journal=British Archaeology |issue=43 |publisher=[[Council for British Archaeology]] |issn=1357-4442 |url= http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba43/ba43int.html |accessdate=23 December 2007 }}{{subscription required}}</ref> ''[[Current Archaeology]]'' summed up the choices: |
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{{cquote|There are really only two contenders on the single-forged blade market, WHS (UK) and Marshalltown (US). WHS blades are thicker, but consequently become blunt as they start to wear down. Marshalltown blades are sharp, flexible, and strong enough to deal with most types of soil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.archaeology.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=7&Itemid=83 |title=Digs |author=Mark Anderson |publisher=[[Current Archaeology]] |accessdate=23 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209112834/http://www.archaeology.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=7&Itemid=83 |archivedate=9 December 2007 }}</ref>}} |
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In 2005, the company introduced a new version of its 4" WHS pointing trowel.<ref name="Digger">{{cite journal |date=January 2006 | title = WHS Trowel bites the dust? | journal = The Digger | url = http://www.bajr.org/diggermagazine/Digger39/4.html | accessdate = 23 December 2007 }}</ref> The thinner and more brittle design was designed for the construction industry, and encountered resistance from archaeologists who found it inferior to its predecessor model.<ref name="Digger"/> [[Oxford Archaeology]] indicated it might switch to the American-made [[Marshalltown trowel]]; and [[British Archaeological Jobs Resource]] received complaints of breakages on site. In response, in the summer of 2006, the firm launched a new trowel, marked "Archaeologists' Trowel" on the blade, the design of which took account of archaeologists' concerns and the results of field trials. It incorporated a thicker, stronger blade, higher lift for extra knuckle clearance, and a flattened tang to prevent handle rotation. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*[http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba43/ba43int.html WHS trowels in archaeology] |
*[http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba43/ba43int.html WHS trowels in archaeology] |
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*[http://www.timelesstools.co.uk/s&j_family_tree.htm S&J Family Tree] |
*[http://www.timelesstools.co.uk/s&j_family_tree.htm S&J Family Tree] |
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*[http://www.bajr.org |
*[http://www.bajr.org British Archaeological Jobs and Resources] |
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*[http://www.bajr.org/BAJRForum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=521 The BAJR Forum] |
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*[http://toolemera.com/catpdf/BradesCat1941.pdf Brades Export Catalogue 1941] |
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*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=045-705-866&cid=-1#-1 Nation Archives George Heaton] |
*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=045-705-866&cid=-1#-1 Nation Archives George Heaton] |
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*[ |
*[https://www.fulltextarchive.com/page/A-Description-of-Modern-Birmingham1/ ''A Description of Modern Birmingham'', c.1818] by [[Charles Pye (Birmingham)|Charles Pye]] |
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*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=51247 A Topographical Dictionary of England 1848 ed Samuel Lewis - see under Rowley Regis] |
*[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=51247 A Topographical Dictionary of England 1848 ed Samuel Lewis - see under Rowley Regis] |
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*[http://blackcountryhistory.org/collections/getrecord/GB146_M13/ Hunt & Cliffe] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:William Hunt And Sons}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:William Hunt And Sons}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Defunct manufacturing companies of the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Methods in archaeology]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Defunct companies based in Sheffield]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:British companies established in 1793]] |
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[[Category:Companies based in Sheffield]] |
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[[Category:Companies established in 1793]] |
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[[Category:Companies based in the West Midlands (county)]] |
[[Category:Companies based in the West Midlands (county)]] |
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[[Category:Oldbury, West Midlands]] |
[[Category:Oldbury, West Midlands]] |
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Latest revision as of 07:27, 27 April 2024
William Hunt and Sons or WHS is a British brand of masonry tools and other types of edge tools. The WHS 4" pointing trowel is well known as a standard excavation implement in British archaeology.[1]
History
[edit]The founder of the company, William Hunt, was an edge tool maker at Rowley Regis, near Dudley, Worcestershire, in the late 18th century. In 1782 he purchased the Brades Estate at Oldbury, near Birmingham, and established a new works there known as Brades Forge, or simply as The Brades. By 1805 they were also manufacturing steel on the site, which was now known as the Brades Steel Works. Around 1793, Hunt took W. Cliffe into partnership, and for a short period the firm was known as Hunt and Cliffe: this name appears in the company's first ledger, dated 9 May 1794. This partnership dissolved around 1803, and Hunt continued trading on his own account until 1809, when he took his sons into partnership and the firm became known as William Hunt & Sons.
In 1828 the company acquired William Edwards and Sons (incorporating the Eagle Edge Tool Company), and later the business of Bache Bros,[2] spade makers of Churchill Forge, near Stourbridge. In the late 19th century George Heaton became a major shareholder in the company.
In 1951 the company amalgamated with Nash Tyzack to form Brades Nash Tyzack Industries, and later took over the business of Skelton. In 1962, together with Harrison, they became part of Spear & Jackson, who in 1967 also acquired Edward Elwell Ltd, all the companies coming together as parts of S&J by 1972. In 1985 S&J became part of the Neill Tools Group based in Sheffield, who still own the brand today.
Brands
[edit]The company's major UK trade marks were BRADES and WHS, but they had many others, some of which, such as Eagle, Giraffe and Pagoda, were only used on tools made for export.
Archaeological trowels
[edit]
The WHS pointing trowel is prized amongst archaeologists in the United Kingdom who find its strength useful in digging heavy deposits. In his 1946 book Field Archaeology, Richard J. C. Atkinson (best known for excavating Stonehenge), "unequivocally" recommended the use of a trowel for archaeology; during the postwar era, WHS and a competing brand from Bowden were predominant. By 1960, archaeologist Paul Stamper was told that a WHS trowel was a "prerequisite", and by 1999, he deemed it the "industry standard".[3] Current Archaeology summed up the choices:
There are really only two contenders on the single-forged blade market, WHS (UK) and Marshalltown (US). WHS blades are thicker, but consequently become blunt as they start to wear down. Marshalltown blades are sharp, flexible, and strong enough to deal with most types of soil.[4]
In 2005, the company introduced a new version of its 4" WHS pointing trowel.[5] The thinner and more brittle design was designed for the construction industry, and encountered resistance from archaeologists who found it inferior to its predecessor model.[5] Oxford Archaeology indicated it might switch to the American-made Marshalltown trowel; and British Archaeological Jobs Resource received complaints of breakages on site. In response, in the summer of 2006, the firm launched a new trowel, marked "Archaeologists' Trowel" on the blade, the design of which took account of archaeologists' concerns and the results of field trials. It incorporated a thicker, stronger blade, higher lift for extra knuckle clearance, and a flattened tang to prevent handle rotation.
References
[edit]- ^ William Hunt and Sons, The Brades gracesguide.co.uk, retrieved 2022-03-05. – (The) Brades Steel Works, est. 1780 in Birmingham, UK; 1793: brand WHS; since 1960 brand owned by Spear and Jackson, Sheffield, UK.
- ^ A history of Churchill Forge and the Bache Family
- ^ Stamper, Paul (April 1999). "Only one way to scratch up the dirt". British Archaeology (43). Council for British Archaeology. ISSN 1357-4442. Retrieved 23 December 2007.(subscription required)
- ^ Mark Anderson. "Digs". Current Archaeology. Archived from the original on 9 December 2007. Retrieved 23 December 2007.
- ^ a b "WHS Trowel bites the dust?". The Digger. January 2006. Retrieved 23 December 2007.