Mel Rodman A group of wooden-handled T-pulls with markings on the shaft consisting of numerals, "Watts Sheffield", and arrows are sometimes referred to as "War Office" corkscrews. Why?
Ron: The wood handled corkscrews you are referring to marked Watts Sheffield were made possibly for the British Military. Often the year they were made (1943 for example) as well as the English Broad Arrow mark normally on items made for the British military are present. They are usually very well manufactured corkscrews made especially for the military with the appropriate marking. They are not too common and not often found in North America. They usually look much older than the dates indicate.
Pictured above are three 19th century looking English corkscrews that were made for the British military. The first is marked with a broad Arrow symbol indicating it was made for the British Military and "1953 W&C LTD BIRMINGHAM", the second Broad Arrow symbol "1951 KF WATTS 1494 SHEFFIELD" and the third struck a bit off centre only stamped "BERKELEY & CO LTD 1941" with no arrow. They all look to be made much earlier and barrel turned handles, a square shank and wire helix attached with a brass washer riveted to the upper shaft where it passes through the handle.
And below is an all steel eybrow type corkscrew marked WYN TIMMINS with an English Broad Arrow.
