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I have a pair of WW1 dated wire cutters which I am carefully cleaning up by removing the rust but trying not to lose the patina. I have found a "S" over Broad Arrow mark. There is definitely no "A" next to the "S". Would this be a South African ownership/issue mark??? Thanks for any help.
There is also a makers name of "Chater Lea Ltd" and a date of 1917 stamped on them. Has any-one heard of this company and if so is it a U.K. company, please?
I restored a 1933 Chater Lea motorcycle that was made in England that had an interesting 'face cam' to operate the valves. The engine was made by a company named Blackburn (sp). Both concerns were British. With the unusual name, I suspect your wire cutters were probably made by this firm under a military contract, but it's just a guess on my part. Regards. Tom
When asking some-one, recently, about Chater Lea motor cycles I was told that they supplied motor bikes to the Automobile Association before they started using B.S.A. bikes for their road service outfits. It was also suggested that the Association, in the 1960s, still owned an example as a "museum piece".
Well there you go I have a Chater Lea Ld set stamped 1917 (DOM! or just the style?) never paid much attention to the year or who made them just wanted a pair, has the broad arrow but the letter above it is worn showing what looks like the bottom of 2 capital I's