Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
The boarding axe is noted as SARGENT. I would presume this to be William Sargant of Birmingham working there 1803-1814, after that he was partnered with James Wooley. It is noted that items marked to him were found in War of 1812 sites.
It is confusing on the spelling with his name listed SARGANT in references, but not unusual to see variation, its the same guy.
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Hi Jim
Yes Sargent is very confusing - I did some research on the name in the Trade Directories of the time. I'll look it out, but in the meantime:
There are seven of these axes in the Royal Armouries collection of which four are marked Sargant and three Sargent. All are preceded by an ‘I’ and most have the centrally located full stop still visible. The fonts are similar and the letters are 4.5mm high in each case.
Hard to explain, as although we know spelling could be haphazard in those days, that could be understandable on paper but stamping your name into metal as part of your business you think would be standardised.