Shotley Bridge swordmakers

urbanspaceman · 16th November 2017, 11:09 PM

I’ve been convinced for some time that the bushy-tailed running fox was first used by the Oleys.
That vendor and auctioneer last year were certain of it.
Oley based the Guild of the Running Fox headquarters in the second Cutler’s Hall he built in 1787.
And I’ve just discovered that a Richard Oley went to work in Birmingham, I think around 1740 but I need to confirm that.
I’m meeting with the keeper of the archives of Shotley Bridge next week: I took a woman along to last week’s meeting and she charmed the pants off him (well, not literally). He’s agreed to allow me access to all the archives that the village has concerning the sword-makers. That’s something John Bygate couldn’t manage.
Surely I can confirm, one way or the other, that Oley used the bushy-tailed running fox first.
Incidentally, it is stated that the SB smiths also used a blade stamp of the crossed swords or the image of a bridge. I suspect we may well find those marks on the tangs of appropriate swords if we could reveal them.
I’m very keen to view this cache of swords in Bowes Museum, but I suspect they will make me jump through hoops and wait till Christmas before they allow me access. I’ve learned that most museums behave that way.
However, as I said earlier this week, you guys are putting everything under the microscope and that is exactly what I need.

16th November 2017, 11:09 PM	#30
urbanspaceman Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Tyneside. North-East England Posts: 577	foxy lady I’ve been convinced for some time that the bushy-tailed running fox was first used by the Oleys. That vendor and auctioneer last year were certain of it. Oley based the Guild of the Running Fox headquarters in the second Cutler’s Hall he built in 1787. And I’ve just discovered that a Richard Oley went to work in Birmingham, I think around 1740 but I need to confirm that. I’m meeting with the keeper of the archives of Shotley Bridge next week: I took a woman along to last week’s meeting and she charmed the pants off him (well, not literally). He’s agreed to allow me access to all the archives that the village has concerning the sword-makers. That’s something John Bygate couldn’t manage. Surely I can confirm, one way or the other, that Oley used the bushy-tailed running fox first. Incidentally, it is stated that the SB smiths also used a blade stamp of the crossed swords or the image of a bridge. I suspect we may well find those marks on the tangs of appropriate swords if we could reveal them. I’m very keen to view this cache of swords in Bowes Museum, but I suspect they will make me jump through hoops and wait till Christmas before they allow me access. I’ve learned that most museums behave that way. However, as I said earlier this week, you guys are putting everything under the microscope and that is exactly what I need.