Sunday, March 04, 2012

M. Hunter & Son

I got sooo sidetracked today. I was about take apart and/or give away these wonderful knives. I found a bunch squirreled away the other day. And in my attempt to clear out clutter ... well. Then I noticed the makers mark, and that one was different from another. One had M. Hunter & Son and the other only had Hunter & Son. Found the Trademarks on in this document.


I decided to do a little internet search to find out more about them. That took most of the day! I only found one reference to them at 1stdibs but I noticed on these knives the date 1900. So now I am pretty sure we are dating my little knives before 1900? or around.



M Hunte & Son Makers Mark

Finally, I found out lots of cool stuff. I kept hunting for markers mark with stag head when really this was a llama! MICHAEL HUNTER & SON Sheffield Active at Talbot Works, 328 Saville St and Reed St, Sheffield (1884-1925). The firm used trade marks "LLAMA" and "FUERTE" During the 1830s, the firm's address was Sheldon Row in the Wicker, where it was listed at Talbot Works as a table knife manufacturer. When Hunter became Master Cutler in 1852, the firm's address was Talbot Works, Andrew Street, off the Wicker. Between 1849 and 1952, Hunter partnered Edward Gillbee in Hunter, Son & Gillbee. The Hunters came from Ecclesfield and they liked naming their sons Michael. Three became Masters Cutlers in the late 19th century. The first of significance was Michael Hunter I(1724-1771), who was a prosperous factor or "hardware man". He later moved to Sheffield, in about 1760, and sold materials to cutlers from a warehouse in Milk Street. In 1781, the company was at Cheney Square. In 1787, Hunter & Twigg was listed as a silver cutler in Bailey Field. By 1817, their enterprise was listed in Burgess Street as a pen and table knife, and comb manufacturer. By 1911, the company had been absorbed by Needham, Veall & Tyzack. Hunter's marks were later acquired by Slater. Michael Hunter I (1724-1771), Michael Hunter II (1759-1831), Michael Hunter III(1800-1886), Michael Hunter IV(1821-1898), Michael Hunter V (1857-1926). 

 I also found this reference the them (transferring ownership) in a newspaper article. 


So the ONE thing I was thinking of getting rid of today is back in the drawer. ;0 How does that happen? I don't think they are they are worth much money but how can get rid of them now? And if you know anything about them, please let me know!

4 comments:

danithejehu said...

Our family name was Hunter in Sheffield . Maybe you could contact me and we could discuss these knives?
My emai is danielleshirtcliff@gmail.com

a learner said...

I just found myself using this old knife in the garden as I have done for years and my mother before me. Thought I’d look up the maker and found your entry. Shame I don’t know how to add a photo. The sign seems to be a hunters horn hanging up...not the ones your photos show.

Unknown said...

Hello, I'm a collector/user of woodworking hand tools. I recently bought an old 14" tenon saw. Steel backed as opposed to brass, yet clearly of a good quality, the plate is thinner near the teeth than where it meets the back strap. It has a stamp on the steel back strap - M Hunter and Son, Talbot Works. There is also a stamped emblem of a hunter's horn and sling. None are particularly clear. All I've gleaned o far from the web is that this company made cutlery and ceased trading around the 1860's.
Has anyone ever come across this make of saw, and was it usual fora cutler to make saws?

Steve M, Stockport

Simon said...

Hi Kim,

Just been adding stuff to family tree.

The Hunter family are related by marriage to a Crawshaw my 10th GG. They are distant cousins of mine.

I've added a link to your blog on my public ancestry.co.uk site if that's ok.

Thankyou for the photos, I'll be digging out the old cutlery mum left us!

Simon Walsh