English Pocket Fruit Knife Maker (Sheffield)
Pepper Alley, Fargate, Sheffield
Aaron Hadfield (or Aaron Hatfield in some sources) was a Sheffield manufacturer of silver-bladed pocket fruit knives, table knives and silver-plated cutlery from the early 19th century until his death in 1844.
Among Aaron and his wife Mary’s several children were two sons, John (b. 1796) and William (b. 1802) both of whom joined Aaron’s firm.
The company then became styled as Aaron Hatfield & Sons with the spelling variation of Aaron’s surname. Aaron’s daughter Sarah married London silversmith Richard Martin and their sons, John and Richard, founded Martin Brothers (qv) which eventually absorbed the Hadfield business but continued a re-registered version of his silversmith maker’s mark.
Registered Maker’s Marks
Sheffield silver mark registered as Aaron Hadfield 9 March 1818. Sheffield silver mark registered as Aaron Hatfield & Sons 25 April 1823
An 1847 pocket fruit knife by Aaron Hadfield with silver cusped bolsters and end cap.
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