Historical information

This draw knife once belonged to a Sough Australian family of coopers, or barrel makers surnamed Schahinger.

The maker was Hale Bros. of Sheffield. The brothers, John Thomas Hale (1853-1919) and Samuel Stafford Hale (1855-1948) owned the Moorfield Works. The firm's Corporate Mark of a horse's head was granted in 1842 and came with the statement that "All tools marked with a "Horse's Head" are Guaranteed". The firm made tools for edgers and joiners, wall drills, cold chisels, files and rasps, printers' and publishers' tools, butchers' and bread knives, and table cutlery.

Significance

This draw knife was used by a cooper in South Australia for making wooden barrels in the traditional manner. The makers had a family business of making knives, cutlery and tools for trades people.
This draw knife is relevant to the trades represented in a maritime village of the late 19th century.

Physical description

Draw knife; cooper's steel draw knife with bulbous wooden handles that have scored rings as decoration. The straight blade is 13 inches long. Inscription and logo of a horse's head on centre of blade. Made by Hale Bros of Sheffield.

Inscriptions & markings

"HALE BROS / SHEFFIELD / - - - - "
Image [Horse's Head]