Several weeks ago I came across an illustrated collection of tools held by Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ). The approximate date of the collection is 1740, which pre-dates Roubo’s “l’art du Menuisier.”
The collection, acquired in 1970, includes 84 illustrations. In the BAnQ’s description it is noted the illustrations may be from a catalog as there are prices and the number of tools noted on each page.
The tools were used by French military forces working on fortresses north of the Rhine. The construction of the fortresses began in the 17th century and were originally led by Marshal Vauban, famed military engineer.
As the tools were used to build and maintain military battlements, not all were used for woodworking. The gallery below has 20 illustrations, but there may be a few more (I was kicked off the website after falling to prove I was human).
You can view the entire tool collection held by BAnQ here.
A bientôt,
Suzanne Ellison
Do you think the mallet handle is intentionally crooked? Like some hewing hatchets?
Yes, When the handle is angled the variance from 90° is usually 3° to 5°.
Dont know if you noticed it, but it’s writen that it is intended to hit mining tools.
Totally friggin awesome.
Good to see the besigue show up again! https://blog.lostartpress.com/2012/11/18/about-that-odd-tool-from-grandpas-workshop/
Beautiful drawings! Thank you for notifying us. I downloaded a bunch.
Merci Suzanne, ce catalogue d’outil est une belle découverte et cela fait plaisir de vous lire.
Excellente trouvaille!!