Mid 19th century "Turn Screw" (screw driver) Probably made in Sheffield England.
Cast steel and ivory handle with brass ferrule. Handle is approximately 3 1/2" x 1 3/4" x 1 1/8". Handle has scrimshaw on all possible areas One side has two mature gentlemen on it with pipe. Opposite side is young man with broad rimed hat. Top is bespectacled man and the rest of the handle is ascribed with a floral design. I am a Graduate Gemologist (GIA) with 35 years appraising gemstones and can supply a certificate as to the materials in the turn screw.
Found in The book Antique Woodworking tools, David R. Russel. Published 2010. This tool has 4 photos on pages 502 and 503. The only tool in the book to have 4 photos. I can guarantee, money back there is no other turn screw like this one.
Auction House
Maybe
Dear Ronald,
Thank you for your request. The appraised object is a screwdriver with an ivory handle. The blade of the turn screw is made out of iron or steel and is fixed with a brass cuff to the handle. The ivory handle has an on two sides flattened shape and is decorated with engravings. The engravings show probably motifs inspired or copied after caricatures. This screwdriver, following the stylistics of the decor, is probably made around 1860.
An estimation would be between 60 to 120 USD.
This estimation is based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of comparables. Retail "asking prices" can be higher and vary.
With best regards,
Georg
