Merrill & Wilder socket chisel

At the Hills Mens Shed, we often receive donations of tools and machinery. Occaisionally it is junk, but then junk to one can be value to another.

In a box of stuff last week came some Titan chisels, a Diston tenon saw and a really badly rusted and beaten up socket chisel. After de-rusting and little clean up , the brand "Merrill & Wilder" became visible.

A little research shows that this was made in New England, USA between 1850 and probably 1901. My interest is up. I would like to make a new handle for it and put it to use in the Shed.

What I would really like to know is, what shape should the handle be? Does anyone have an original or a photo of an original? Does anyone have any idea of the shape of late 19th century American chisel handles?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Avery,
Sounds like a nice Chisel, & have never heard of them before.
I make all my Turning Handles from Richard Raffan's Book " Woodturning ". It is towards the back of the book.
For other Chisel Handles, my friend has a page from another book, showing all the Handles of all The Makers of Chisels. So I copy them.
Regards,
issatree.

Notes on New England Edge Tool Makers, I: Edge Tool Makers, Hinsdale, NH, 1840-1900

as the link says has notes on the makers and shapes of handles at the bottom

Thanks for the responses.

Issatree, I shall look for Raffan's book at the library.

Pac man, thank you for the link. I had already found that one and I emailed them about the chisel. They came back with a couple of photos of various chisels. Very helpful.


I made a handle very loosely based on photos that I have . The result is not too bad. The socket had been damaged by a previos user, so the fit is not great. It looks as though it had been used without a handle and heavily bashed. I thought about grinding it back into shape but decided to leave it.

A very quick grind and hone has brought it back to life. The handle is made from a piece of firewood I rescued from out near Mudgee - very hard and heavy.


Some photos

Hi PacMan,
That was A very nice Handle on that Chisel. It did look a bit short though, but hard to tell just looking at that Photo.
Regards,
issatree.