Earliest Documented Existence of Use of Sans Serif Font on Sheffield Maker's Stamps

laEspadaAncha · 29th February 2012, 05:36 PM

This next example is a knife of fine quality that comes from the same collection as the first, and like the first, was published in the book The Bowie Knife, by Norm Flayderman.

He dates this particular knife to having been made between 1847 and 1849, presumably due to the etching on the reverse, which has an inscription commemorating the (U.S.) victory at the Battle of Buena Vista (by the early 1850s, Mexican-American War-themed inscriptions had been replaced by Gold Rush, abolitionist, and secessionist themes). Made by and marked to Sheffield cutler C. Barnes (relation to Edward Barnes unknown). Not only does the inscription appear in a sans serif font, but the ricasso is stamped with the maker's mark in which the last line "SHEFFIELD" is clearly stamped in a sans serif font as well:

Jim McDougall · 1st March 2012, 03:35 AM

Chris and Spiral thank you both so much for taking this intriguing topic out of the other thread, and placing it with its own. I must say I really like this constructive and team oriented move which is proving a valuable look into this otherwise subtle nuance of markings.

With the interesting perspective you have both shown, I am curious just how much variation might have been in place with both styles of font in contemporary use. It would seem that in many cases long established makers might have used older forms longer, and possibly more modern and industrialized style prevailed in those regions where this was more prevalent.

Also, I am wondering just how much metalworking stamps would follow the character of printed material, for example the use of the long or medial 'S' which looked like an 'f' in this context. Obviously the use of majescule letters would be presumed for stamping, while perhaps the cursive script so often used in markings in the 18th century would have favored the print characters. .. or did it?

Excellent topic guys!!!! Thank you again.

All the best,
Jim

Billman · 20th August 2012, 07:10 PM

Just looked through my images of edge tools from the UK (mainly billhooks) - the serif name stamps were still being used into the 20th century, especailly on tools made by small village makers. However most large industrial makers (e.g. Brades or Elwell) had been using non-serif stamps from the late 19th century. Cutlers, however, used much smaller stamps than edge tool makers, and the serif would a) be very small and b) easily damaged, so it would make sense to use non-serif lettering for small stamps...

29th February 2012, 05:36 PM	#1
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	This next example is a knife of fine quality that comes from the same collection as the first, and like the first, was published in the book The Bowie Knife, by Norm Flayderman. He dates this particular knife to having been made between 1847 and 1849, presumably due to the etching on the reverse, which has an inscription commemorating the (U.S.) victory at the Battle of Buena Vista (by the early 1850s, Mexican-American War-themed inscriptions had been replaced by Gold Rush, abolitionist, and secessionist themes). Made by and marked to Sheffield cutler C. Barnes (relation to Edward Barnes unknown). Not only does the inscription appear in a sans serif font, but the ricasso is stamped with the maker's mark in which the last line "SHEFFIELD" is clearly stamped in a sans serif font as well: Attached Images

1st March 2012, 03:35 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Chris and Spiral thank you both so much for taking this intriguing topic out of the other thread, and placing it with its own. I must say I really like this constructive and team oriented move which is proving a valuable look into this otherwise subtle nuance of markings. With the interesting perspective you have both shown, I am curious just how much variation might have been in place with both styles of font in contemporary use. It would seem that in many cases long established makers might have used older forms longer, and possibly more modern and industrialized style prevailed in those regions where this was more prevalent. Also, I am wondering just how much metalworking stamps would follow the character of printed material, for example the use of the long or medial 'S' which looked like an 'f' in this context. Obviously the use of majescule letters would be presumed for stamping, while perhaps the cursive script so often used in markings in the 18th century would have favored the print characters. .. or did it? Excellent topic guys!!!! Thank you again. All the best, Jim

20th August 2012, 07:10 PM	#3
Billman Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 129	Just looked through my images of edge tools from the UK (mainly billhooks) - the serif name stamps were still being used into the 20th century, especailly on tools made by small village makers. However most large industrial makers (e.g. Brades or Elwell) had been using non-serif stamps from the late 19th century. Cutlers, however, used much smaller stamps than edge tool makers, and the serif would a) be very small and b) easily damaged, so it would make sense to use non-serif lettering for small stamps...