cf johnson woon gauge

[mickeyb]

I have a nice wooden gauge that is stamped CF Johnson Sheffield, it also bears the gramaphone mark. It is 9.5" long and has a flat scriber that is wedged in rather than a pointed "right through" pin.It also has a wooden screw to hold the block in place. The wedge is about 1.25" long and is shaped like a peg with a semi circular cut out on one side and rounded at the top. Could anybody give me a clue as to it's age please. Thanks

 

[AndyT]

It sounds like a cutting gauge which is useful for marking across the grain or in veneering to cut through veneer.

BPM III gives dates of 5 Orange St Sheffield from 1931 to 1936 and 15 & 17 Carver St from 1941 to 1954.

 

[mickeyb]

Thanks for that Andy. Would it be useful if I posted some images. I'm not sure how to do that, I'll have to ask my son to do it as he's far more computer literate than me.
Thanks again,
mickeyb

 

[mickeyb]

Hello Andy,
I'm only new to the site so I'm not sure if I pressed the "post reply" button.Just to be sure I've sent it again. Would it be a good idea to post some images for you to look at ?
Many thanks,
mickeyb

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Welcome to the forum, Mickey!

No real need for pictures; your description was easily good enough to identify that it's a cutting gauge. They have been made in huge numbers by many hundreds of makers, mostly small firms, from the late 1700s to the present day - every woodworker has at least one, and some woodworkers have several. They are usually made of beech, with a boxwood screw (since the 1960s, the boxwood for the screw has usually been replaced by plastic).

Andy has pinned down the date of manufacture of your example about as accurately as anybody could.

 

[mickeyb]

Thanks for all your help Andy &Cheshirechappie, much appreciated,
mickeyb

 

[DonMc]

Mickey et al,

C. F. Johnson is also listed in the 1919 & 1925 Sheffield directories, at 20 Bank Street, as an edge and joiners' tool manufacturer. Which extends the working dates a little earlier than indicated in _British Planemakers from 1700_, 3rd. ed.

Don McConnell
Eureka Springs, AR

 

[AndyT]

Mickey et al,

C. F. Johnson is also listed in the 1919 & 1925 Sheffield directories, at 20 Bank Street, as an edge and joiners' tool manufacturer. Which extends the working dates a little earlier than indicated in _British Planemakers from 1700_, 3rd. ed.

Don McConnell
Eureka Springs, AR

That could be a better match for the gramophone trade mark, assuming it was meant to show something modern. (It's an old wind up one with a horn. )

 

[mickeyb]

Mickey et al,

C. F. Johnson is also listed in the 1919 & 1925 Sheffield directories, at 20 Bank Street, as an edge and joiners' tool manufacturer. Which extends the working dates a little earlier than indicated in _British Planemakers from 1700_, 3rd. ed.

Don McConnell
Eureka Springs, AR

That could be a better match for the gramophone trade mark, assuming it was meant to show something modern. (It's an old wind up one with a horn. )

Thanks to everyone for their help. Very helpful,
mickeyb