Tools & Trades History Society

Mystery Tools

A Littlewood Axe

I was looking through a box of my tools recently and came across this 5lb English pattern felling axe, marked I.Littlewood, Sheffield.

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The name was not a familiar one on edge tools and doing some research I found an article by Ken Hawley (Tools & Trades Vol.7) regarding this firm. These axes went out of use some time ago as methods changed and despite being a bit rusty it is what looks to be unused condition. It was very likely manufactured at the Clough Works between 1889 and 1904. According to Ken's article they made a lot of tools for other Sheffield manufacturers and marked as such. It would be interesting to know of any other I.Littlewood tools.

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A.Gardner

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