The Story of James Dixon & Sons (2021)

Online lecture about the rise and fall of James Dixon & Sons originally given by Nick Duggan on 9 June 2021. It tracks the origins and history of another of the famous and largest companies involved in cutlery, Britannia metal and silver plated flatware in Sheffield.
Founded by James Dixon in 1804 the company grew quickly to become established in 1822 at a new factory in Cornish Place. It was still managed by a 5th generation Dixon until his death in 1976 but it quickly collapsed after that closing with debts of £1m in 1982. Unlike other works Cornish Works continued as a significant presence after conversion to residential apartments.
The lecture highlights the huge product range the company developed and reveals the people behind the name.
The film was developed as part of the Name on the Knife Blade Project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The website developed by the project giving detail of the huge array of table knife manufacturers in Sheffield over the last 200 years can be found at hawleysheffieldknives.com/
To find out more about the Hawley Collection and to donate, visit our main website: www.hawleytoolcollection.com/

[@yishislassieswaiting4748]

Fun info, thank you! (From one who's only recently discovered she is actually a Dixon, patrilineally-speaking.)

[@yorkshirejoinery2869]

The multi-tool at around 30 odd minutes is a ‘shotgun cartridge extractor’. Probably 12 gauge and maybe 20 gauge. The rim of the cartridge if stuck in the chamber could be pulled out by clipping the tool over the cartridges rim and pulling. Obviously the rivet allows it to spun round to suit the cartridge size. Very interesting, enjoyed this video, thanks!

[@Rose39M]

Great informative video! Thank you. I have a Silver Tea Pot with I believe the James Dixon hallmark. J.D & S on the back just under the handle in the banner. Lion and Crown and an S. On the bottom it is stamped REPRODUCED 1810, I can't find any information. Can you help with time period if this is one of theirs? Thank you

[@doog9]

Rose if you send a picture to Hawley collection we might be able to find it in a catalogue

[@labrat7357]

When I saw the title I began watching hoping that it was a history of the J Dixon and Sons the manufacturer of fine leather working tools for all the leather trades. When I checked some early tools I have some showed the marker as Joseph and not James. Close but no prize. Thanks for the very well presented video.

[@KenHawleyCollectionTrust]

Sorry about that we do have some leather makers tools in the Collection and if you can supply any photos of the marks, etc we might be able to help. I assume you may have seen the catalogue at www.boothandco.com/catalogue.pdf

[@ibpopp]

James Dixon powder flasks always attract a premium from black powder shooters and antique firearms collectors. Quality never ages. Rule Britannia.