Three Mortice Chisels, All with Sturdy Ash Handles by Sorby & Co

Three mortice chisels, all with sturdy ash handles by Sorby & Co with steel blades, two stamped T. Turton & Sons, another by Sorby & Co, one also stamped Sheaf Works and all bearing the initial W.D for the War Department, dated 1862. English. Footnote:- These three chisels represent three of the most famous firms from the great age of steel manufacturing in Sheffield. Sorby & Co was founded in 1828 and remains a world leading manufacturer and exporter of specialist woodworking tools and equipment. William Greaves & Co was founded in 1823 when William built the Sheaf plate works between the Sheffield Canal and the station with the object of taking in the crude iron at one end and turning it out at the other ready for use. The Sheaf Works became the largest business in this area at the time but by 1839 they were occupied by Thomas Turton & Sons.