Identify strange old pliers?

[bugbear]

This is from a local group to me; the poster says the name stamped on the handle is "SHAXESHAFT"

It's a new one on me - I'd guess some kind of crimping tool.

Anyone able to positively identify it?

BugBear

 

[arnoldmason8]

Hi BB
Looks a bit like the cutters used on the edge of the old cardboard train tickets to mark them as used.

Regards Arnold

 

[MusicMan]

I wonder whether they are notching pliers, used in sheet metal working to hold thin sheets of e.g. brass together before brazing/soldering? Used in musical instrument manufacture (trumpets etc, saxophones). The aim would be a straight cut in from the edge to a fixed depth.

Keith

 

[GLFaria]

Never saw one of these.
I wonder if this might be a cutter for thick hard wire? There seems to be a notch (where the cutting edges would be), the curved "lip" on the end working just as a guide to prevent the cutter from "opening-up" from the effort.
Does this make sense?

 

[Blockplane]

I wonder if they are designed to put a particular size/shape bend , either on the end, or a 'joggle' mid length, of a wire, rather than cutting it?

 

[novocaine]

they look like leather notching pliers (similar to above but for leather so can be a bit less robust), used by watch strap makers and belt makers for putting notches in for buckles. the anvil is rather interesting though. not seen one like that before.

 

[novocaine]

Something popped up on a feed today.
Livestock ear markers.

 

[MusicMan]

Ah! yes that rings a bell! Thanks for letting us know.

 

[AndyT]

I've just spotted what is probably the maker, in a completed eBay listing.
Peter Shakeshaft of Warrington. The listing shows the name on a drill gauge and on the box.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2710784302
This item and at least one other live one for a similar item have the military broad arrow on, suggesting a C20 contractor.

 

[novocaine]

Shakeshaft was a wire tooling manufacturer.
They could be grip and pulls for yanking wire though a die and cutting it. But i still reckon on them being ear cutters.
Tbink my inperial wire gauge is a shakeshaft, will look next time i open that box.

Ill ask a few folk next time im in the right pub. Not many left who worked that industry any more though.