Antique Scissors - Shears ACS

I have these pair of antique scissors or shears. Are they tailor shears? What does ACS stand for. These scissors are very heavy and measure 9 1/2 inches overall with a blade length that is 4 5/8 (cutting edge) inches long, with a measurement of 6 1/2 inches from the handle to the tip of the scissors. Why would someone want to know the length and width of the grip loops?

 

Your listing on eBay I presume? https://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-He...713536?hash=item2aff693d80:g:iakAAOSw3hBgMZ1Y

If you have had an inquiry for the measurements you mentioned, why not just answer the person? Perhaps the answer it is as simple as they want to know if they would fit their hand.

 

Sorry but why are you now asking if they are tailor shears when, in your eBay listing, you state unequivocally that they were "used once by either a tailor or dressmaker"? If you don't know, then you shouldn't state so in your listing. (And how do you know they were only "used once", and not used many times?)

But in answer to your question, no, I don't believe they are tailor shears. Tailoring/dressmaking shears are flat along one side (have bent handles) so they can run along the cutting table as the fabric is cut by the user. They are specifically made to be held with the thumb/fingers. Technically speaking, there are some further small differences between tailor and dressmaking shears but they are both formed as I've just described. Many people tend to use the names interchangeably.

Your shears appear to be general utility or kitchen shears.

Tailor shears:

 

I got to thinking about when bent handle shears may have come into use and ended up down a rather interesting rabbit hole.
Here is a screenshot from the Wiss publication "A Story of Shears and Scissors, 1848-1948" which shows they were in use as early as 1868.
Though "tailor's shears" now generally refer to those with bent handles, there were likely many types of shears used in a tailor's shop.

 

UNCONFIRMED... from Ruby lane seller..............but I enjoyed the search .......lucky u..

A pair of early 18th century, Queen Anne period hand forged steel scissors or shears, each blade made in one piece with its handle.These were part of a large collection of antique scissors that we have purchased. The old 2008 label states that they are "Steel Scissors from Fournier Street, Spitalfields". This large pair of sturdy scissors with central raised pivot have a small rectangular impressed stamp, difficult to decipher "SPTFLD".

Having researched the fascinating history of scissors, how they date back to Roman times. We can confirm that a museum in Rotterdam that has an identical pair(without the stamp) that they date to 1600-1700.

Spitalfields is an area in London that was named after St Mary Spital, a priory or hospital that once stood on this land in the 1100's. It was during the 17th century that the Spitalfields parish became home to French Huguenots protestant refugees that were taking refuge from the religious persecutions in Catholic Europe during the 17th century. Many of the the Huguenots brought with them their fantastic silk weaving skills developed in their home towns of Nantes and Lyons, France. Combined with the influx of 18th century Irish ex linen weaving migrants, this area of London became synonymous with fine silk weaving. Fournier Street was home to the master weavers and one can still visit this area of London to visit the 18th century terraced houses built to accommodate the weavers.

Size: 10.25" (27 cm), blade span of 9.5" (24 cm)


( at least I know the OP has the shears......not like some lamp..)

side by side pics for comparing .......and may not be the same age....but I think the mfg is very close.....

 

funny....i spotted these the other day looking for other shears posted here......but it took me a hour to find them again.....