John Johnston wrote (in part)

>IF you go to http://www.galootcentral.com/index.php?option=com_copperm-
>inevis&Itemid=2&place=thumbnails&album> you will see three images of an
>octagonal handled gouge made by one William Ash & Co. Does anyone have
>any information about when & where William Ash & Co. made tools?

As far as I've been able to establish, the working dates for William Ash
& Co. were from about 1822 to about 1845, on Norfolk Lane. And, that may
be the most likely time frame for your gouge. But, that is not the
entire story.

The "WM. ASH & Co." mark continued to be used for quite some time after
these dates. We know, for certain, that it was one of the marks used by
BURYS & Co., 1863 to 1965, Regent Works, Penistone Road. Another mark
was "REGENT".

I have yet to establish who used the mark from 1845 to 1863, but it may
have been William H. Ash, 14 Norfolk Lane, whose working dates (as
established for now) were 1847 to 1852. For what it's worth, he was
listed as "manager, Regent Works" in 1857, which may point toward some
connection with the later Burys & Co.

Incidentally, the William Ash & Co. listings indicate that they were
successors to Roberts & Ash, indicating William Ash was likely one
of the partners in that edge tool making firm, operating from about
1814 to 1817.

Hope this helps.

Don McConnell Eureka Springs, AR
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