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Originally Posted by Mel H
Confusingly it was the same in England at that time, The double 's' was expressed as, 'ff'.
The word 'furnisher' could be used here in those times to describe a person who assembled swords or knives.
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Hello, Mel
You're spot on about those double S's , or 'ff' as the case may be.
It seems that "furnisher" is a term more aptly applied to someone who supplies, purveys, or provides goods. In other words, a merchant.
A "furbisher" (note the "b") is someone who finishes or polishes a product. A craftsman or artisan. Thus, to "refurbish" means to renovate or restore something that's gotten a bit worn or tatty.
Based on what I've encountered in French books on arms and their manufacture, the distinction exists in very similar fashion in that lingo as well:
fournisseur versus
fourbisseur.