Set of 5 Antique Smith & Jeweler's Chasing Stamp Tools

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These circa 1800's blacksmith or jeweler's chasing stamp tools are for punching, stamping or sinking designs into steel, gold, silver, or other metal (probably intended for softer material and pieces, watches and jewelry and such, considering the ornate detail of many of the pieces in the set these came from). These 5 (five) tools bear various designs, including beveled arrow head, heraldric lion with an outstretched paw, dragon in flight, two leaves with veins that look like antlers, and a kite shield or bullet shape. Design sizes are all around 1/8".Tool lengths range from 2 1/4" to 2 1/2". ALL PACKAGES SENT THROUGH USPS WILL BE INSURED WITH EBAY'S SHIPCOVER PROGRAM. Be sure to check out all our other items in our eBay storefront! Known history of these tools: they came from the estate of Leon Robbins, a famous Bath, Maine plane craftsman. (they might have been used for wood, too--he was a woodworker, but it's unknown whether or not he used any of these for anything or if they just sat in his basement). He apparently got them from an English belt buckle and button maker operating circa 1800's. I found a woodblock with some stamps someone made on them in the collection: Leon Robbins apparently got the bulk of these tools from an English belt buckle and button maker operating circa 1800's (some might be from earlier or later makers). They passed through a number of hands before he got them, as evidenced by stamps on the sides of a few of them that include things like peoples' first and last names and company names (Pickard, I. Hayes, etc.), "Cast steel," "Crucible Steel," anchor symbols often with numbers, numerals by themselves, etc. Some are stamped "W. Jessop & Sons," a name used by an English maker operating from the early 1800's to the early 1900's that, like many Sheffield makers, was famous for the quality of their steel--this seems like a likely maker, considering their place of origin and the time period in which they were crafted. (A bit of info on William Jessop & Sons can be found here: http://www.sherlock-homes.us/712.pdf ) These appear to have been made from crucible steel, with the designs individually hand filed and forged (some of the pieces have visible file marks around the designs). These tools are being shipped in flat rate boxes and I combine shipping costs--up to 20 pounds of chasing tools for the same rate. 20% of all sales go to benefit the Davistown Museum ! If you buy multiple items, I will combine shipping and give you the cheapest rate possible. I charge whatever it costs me to ship an item, so please don't complain about costs with no markup (unless you're complaining to USPS)--if a rate looks high, ask me about it and I'll double-check to make sure I filled out the shipping form correctly. If you have any questions about this item, please ask. I AM OUT OF TOWN TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS AND CANNOT ANSWER QUESTIONS OR RESPOND TO OFFERS THOSE DAYS! The photos ARE of the actual items offered unless otherwise noted and should be used as indications of the items' condition. If I have not described an aspect of the item, please do not make assumptions--send me a message and ask, I will do my best to answer your question as thoroughly as I can. I am not an expert on everything offered and do my best to research all the items listed, but if you are an expert or enthusiast in a field one of my auctions falls under, I will appreciate greatly any information you can provide on it! If you have a question about the shipping cost of an item, please ask before bidding. Please consider the cost of shipping as part of the cost of the item as we DO charge a small handling fee (included in the flat rate listed). We DO NOT offer refunds on the cost of shipping and only offer refunds on items in rare cases of gross misrepresentation. Be sure you know what you are bidding on before bidding! Auctions end Saturday and Sunday, we ship Mondays and Thursdays, so if you get your payment in before 11 AM EST Monday or earlier, it w... read more

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