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The Ashton Story
 
 
   
 
At the same time cars were beginning to enter into the way of life of many people.  Ashtons could not resist making inroads into the industry and began producing washers and gaskets cut from leather and other materials.

Along came the first world war and Ashtons carved their own niche in history by making many thousands of bayonet scabbards and other leather military accoutrements such as straps, belts and pouches.  These were moulded from leather and the experience gained was used in establishing a new peaceful line when the war ended.

They began making the well-known “Ashtona” attaché cases, which are still widely used because of their stout construction, although today air travel has diminished the demand of the heavier, solid cases.

More wartime experience in this instance, the press cutting of leather, led Ashtons to become one of the first in the field producing cut-leather soles for the shoe repairing trade.

In the 1920s broadcasting made its appearance on the entertainment scene and Ashton’s linked up with such names as Pye, Murphy, Ekco, Philips and Cossor in pioneering cats whiskers crystal wireless sets.

The next decade meant an interesting new facet to the company, as a humane electrical sheep and pig stunner was developed in the electrical department.

In 1940 the Sidney Street works was severely damaged in the blitz with the top storey being completely destroyed by fire and the leather department was removed to Norfolk Street.

After the war, in 1948 the leather department moved back into the rebuilt works in Sidney Street.

A section of the leather department had been producing sheaths for Bowie knives as well as small leather sheaths for the Dinkie fruit knife.  This section was further expanded to produce all types of fancy leather cases, wallets and sheaths to hold the products of Sheffield’s small tool and cutlery manufacturers.  These sheaths protected scissors, penknives, manicure fittings and rules.