As chisels were probably used in ancient times, as at present, not only in conjunction with a mallet, but also in the hand alone with pressure as paring-tools, it would have been found convenient to attach them to wooden or horn handles. Accordingly we find them both provided with a tang or shank for driving into a wooden handle, like the majority of modern chisels, and also, though more rarely, with a socket for the reception of a handle, like the heavy mortising chisels of the present day. Chisels of the tanged variety vary considerably in size and strength, and in the relative width of the blade to the length.
Fig. 192*. Carlton Rode. ½
That shown in Fig. 192 is from the great hoard discovered at Carlton Rode,[576] Norfolk, already mentioned, and is preserved in the Norwich Museum. The marks of the joint of the mould are still visible on the tang. It was found with numerous celts and gouges, a hammer, and at least one socketed chisel. Another tanged chisel of nearly the same form and dimensions is also in the Norwich Museum. It formed part of the Woodward Collection, and was probably found in Norfolk.
A chisel much more expanded at the edge, and also of lighter make, was found at Wallingford, Berks, in company with a double-edged knife or razor, and a socketed celt, gouge, and knife, of which notices are given in other parts of this book. It is engraved as Fig. 193, and is in my own collection, as is also the original of Fig. 194. This formed part of the hoard discovered in Reach Fen, Cambridge, and was the only one of the kind there found. A socketed chisel-like celt from the same hoard has been already described and figured at page 133, Fig. 159.
Tanged chisels have also occurred in various other hoards of bronze antiquities. Some were found with numerous celts and other tools at Westow,[577] on the Derwent, Yorkshire, which from their curved edges and general character the late Mr. James Yates regarded as the σμίλα χαρτοτόμος, or chisel for cutting paper, mentioned by Philoxenus, and as the currier’s chisel, σκιτοτόμος, mentioned by Julius Pollux. If I were to offer an opinion it would be that any cutting tool of the Bronze Period in Britain was more likely to have been used for cutting leather than paper, the latter commodity being, to say the least of it, scarce in Britain at that time; and, moreover, that chisels are generally used for cutting wood and not leather.
In the collection of Canon Green well, F.R.S., are two of these tanged chisels from Westow, about 4½ inches long and 1⅛ inch broad at the edge. A small part of the blade below the round collar is cylindrical. In the British Museum is a small specimen of this kind (3½ inches) from the Thames.
Fig. 193.—Wallingford. ½ – Fig. 194.—Reach Fen. ½ – Fig. 195.—Thixendale. ½