Ebony Wragg Patent Cutlery

An ebony and steel set of Travel Cutlery stamped WH Wragg Patent to the knife blade and Thos. Turner to the fork.

The design is simple but effective with the handle of each implement forming the sheaf for the other to form a bar when packed. Both handles are stamped 11 to identify the two parts to each other amongst multiple sets. The handles are made out of two pieces of wood fixed to each other with three pewter bands. The blade is held in place by two brass pins and the fork by two steel pins.

The ebony versions of these sets are harder to find than those with rosewood handles but this set also strands out for the additional name and logo stamped to the fork. Thomas Turner was in business from 1802 and was a partner in a few different companies such as Thorpe, Turner & Co of Orchard Street, Sheffield. During this period it was very likely that he came into contact with Wragg, who was involved in the company Thorpe, Wragg & Co that developed out of Thorpe Turner & Co. By 1837 Turner, Thos. & Co.,were listed in the Sheffield trade directory as 'merchts, steel refiners, and cutlery, saw, file, and edge tool manfrs, Suffolk Works'. Thomas Turner died in 1845 but was succeeded by his son, also named Thomas. By 1871 the business had grown to employ 500 people. It continued well into the 20th century under the different ownership.

An interesting set of W.H. Wragg Patent Travel Cutlery for the addition of Thomas Turner's stamp. Mid 19th Century.

Size for travel is given.