Object number
54/561
Creator
Description
A billhook is an edge tool used in hedging, coppice work and other woodland trades, and the tool shows great regional variety with each area having its own accepted pattern and shape. This narrow bladed single edged billhook is of the Hampshire type, and was used by the donor's father, who was a wheelwright and carpenter in Braishfield, Hampshire. The handle is missing, and the curving single blade ends in a tanged point. The tool is stamped 'W.Gilpin Wedges Mill Warr - - - -' (the last word being partly illegible), 'solid', and '10 inches', the latter inscription referring to the length of the blade.
Physical description
1 billhook: metal; good condition
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘… // DATE ACQUIRED: // GROUP: // NEGATIVE: // PERIOD: // PLACE OF ORIGIN: // NUMBER: // DESCRIPTION: …‘The narrow bladed single edged billhook is the Hampshire type and was used by the donor's father Mr H.J.Bown of... Braishfield. The whole tool, whose handle is missing is 14.5 inches long and the curving single edged blade is 10 inches long. The blade ends in a tanged point. The tool is stamped 'W.Gilpin Wedges Mill Warr - - - ' 'solid' and '10 inches'.
Production place
Wedges Mill
Object name
Material
Associated subject
