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Up for sale is a rare and antique coachmaker's "jigger" by renowned English toolmaker Buck of 242 Tottenham Court Road, London. Also known as a side router or grooving router. This unique router was used by coachmakers to cut fine curves and rebates into the wooden bodies of carriages. It features two curved blades each set into their own channel in a removable steel head. The head is secured to the handle with a large brass wingnut. The double cutter configuration allows the user to make cuts in any direction.
Condition: Very good. The two cutters are sharp. All hardware appears to be original. The finish on the rosewood appears to be intact but has some light scratches and small dents as expected from use. An eyelet screw was added to one handle end for hanging on a peg or hook. 15 1/4" long.
History & Provenance: George Buck & Co. was a premier manufacturer of high-end woodworking tools in London throughout the 19th century. In 1880, the family bought a storefront at the 242 Tottenham Court Road address and remained in business there until 1930. They supplied the high concentration of furniture and cabinet makers that took up shop in the neighborhood. They also manufactured a variety of specialty woodworking tools for piano and instrument makers, coachmakers, and carriagemakers, such as this one. The nearby neighborhoods of Long Acre and St Pancras were known as the epicenter of the carriage and coachmaking trade in London throughout the 19th century. Buck's tools were regarded by tradesmen as being reliable and of the highest quality. Buying a tool from Buck would have been a sizable investment for the tradesman.
This jigger is stamped twice with the name, "J.E. Harris". A bit of research into English census data indicates that the Harris family were coach and carriage makers in nearby St. Pancras, only a few streets away from the Buck storefront. Both John Edward Harris and John Ebenezer Harris were listed as coachmakers based in the area during the 19th century. There is no way to confirm the specific owner of this tool, but it was almost certainly used by a craftsman who built carriages and coaches during the Victorian or Edwardian periods. Found in New Hampshire, USA. A similar beech Buck jigger can be seen in the English Science Museum's collection of coachmaker's tools. The last two photos contain a photo of the Buck storefront and a screenshot of the museum collection.
