Age of a English turnscrew?

[lightning22]

History of the Footprint tool company below

https://footprint-tools.com/

[Maple]

That is a cabinet makers screwdriver, shouldn't be used on guns.

[45flint]

That is a cabinet makers screwdriver, shouldn't be used on guns.

Did they have specific gun turnscrews preWW1 like they do now?

[harvey_s]

That certainly doesn't look pre-WW1...

[Re01312]

Steve

That is an old looking tool seem period appropriate to me. In the US, it is much tougher finding antiques, country is too young.

My daughter spent sometime shooting air pistols with me. She had a big smile after shooting. The Airgun happiness effect hard at work on a new member community. If I can I'll post pics too.

Cheers,

Randy

[Maple]

Did they have specific gun turnscrews preWW1 like they do now?

Gun makers traditionally bought in accessories made by specialist makers, turnscrews were a standard such extra. The screwdriver you have photographed has never been anything to do with the gun trade.

[45flint]

Gun makers traditionally bought in accessories made by specialist makers, turnscrews were a standard such extra. The screwdriver you have photographed has never been anything to do with the gun trade.

I realize it’s a cabinet makers turnscrew, but best I can do over here for a prop in a gun case. In looking at a lot of early cased pistols I just don’t see any flat ground turnscrews, they all look like normal turnscrews and as said above some look to me made for the gun by the gun maker. In looking at websites I think all I can say is this one is probably preWW2? We discuss a lot about vintage airguns but as you collect its the accessories that at actually very hard to acquire and can be equally fascinating. The accessories used in this country often totally different from those in England. Oil is just one example.

[BC312]

So what is a proper gun trade screwdriver if this one is not correct. What type of screwdrivers came before?

[DEAN C.]

Footprint are a well known toolmaker from Sheffield but that looks to be 1940s or 50s at a guess, and as you already know is a joiners screwdriver. Great food for thought though regarding appropriate tools and accessories.

Gunmakers turnscrews are much squarer and flat in profile.https://cdn.axminstertools.com/media.../109440_xl.jpg

Slightly off topic, I used to try and pick up any ex NCB footprint chisels at auto jumbles and boot sales whenever I saw them.
Their lovely flat chisels dont turn or roll in your hand when using.