Whitehouse axe

[montgomalex]

Hi, I am restoring a Whitehouse axe. The stamp shows Whitehouse Bros Cannock, my question is - is this the same company as Whitehouse & sons or Hedgehog tools? The design seems to be the colliers axe, weight 2lb. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[montgomalex]

Here is the axe

 

[AndyT]

Yes, it's the same company. Once huge, now gone completely.

There's a 1952 catalogue here https://archive.org/details/CorneliusWh ... alogue1952

and an earlier one on this page

https://www.taths.org.uk/members-site/h ... catalogues

This thread has some more pictures and links to info about the demise of the company.

ty-gwyn-whitehouse-collier-s-axe-t102406.html?hilit=whitehouse

 

[montgomalex]

Thanks Andy, I found that information which is really interesting - just saw no mention of 'bros' anywhere.
Do the 8's stamped on it mean anything or would that be to personalise or identify?
Thanks

 

[AndyT]

Thanks Andy, I found that information which is really interesting - just saw no mention of 'bros' anywhere.
Do the 8's stamped on it mean anything or would that be to personalise or identify?
Thanks

They are too untidy to have been done by the maker. Probably one of a set issued from the stores and recorded on chit.

 

[montgomalex]

Thanks

 

[dannyr]

I seem to remember the Whitehouse brand as the top quality range in the 1980s and poss 90s of panel beating hammers and counterparts (bicks?)? - not cheap and from memory with lovely octagon shaped hickory handles with a red or green painted end - so according to the links above, this must be after their Sheffield then Leeds moves. I don't think a huge amount of vehicle hand panel beating goes on these days?

 

[AndyT]

Just for completeness, the Timeless Tools site does say that Whitehouse Bros preceded Whitehouse & Sons.

The history goes back a long way!

http://www.timelesstools.co.uk/tradelogos.htm