Marples · No. 377 · 1909–1998 as catalog No. 377
Marples sold a bevel-edge chisel with a boxwood carver-pattern handle, catalog number 377, from at least 1909 until 1998, so calling it pre-Blue Chip is a bit misleading. The 1984 catalog lists them side by side, the boxwood one billed as the craftsman's choice. What changed over that long run was the forging. The historian behind williammarplesandsons.com rates the square-necked chisels made before about 1952 as the best. Around then Marples moved to a round neck. From about 1985 the necks were tapered, and later chisels have one handle size for every width and short ferrules. Older chisels are stamped HIBERNIA with a triple shamrock, marks Marples registered in 1875 and was still using in 1943. Later handles carry a small green or red shamrock transfer instead.
Identify and date it
Date it by the neck where the blade meets the ferrule. Square is before about 1952, round is the 1950s to the 1980s, and tapered is mid-1980s on. A green shamrock transfer on the handle suggests about 1958–1967 and a red one about 1967–1973, while HIBERNIA with a triple shamrock stamped on the blade is the older mark, in use from 1875 into the 1940s.
If you’ll use it
A round-necked one from the 1950s to the 1970s still has the full-size handles and long brass ferrules that the later ones lost. That's the sensible user buy.
If you’ll collect it
The square-necked chisels from before about 1952 are the ones the Marples historian rates as the very best, especially with a clear HIBERNIA stamp.
Decades of honing shorten blades and round the back near the edge. Boxwood handles can split at the ferrule or the striking end, and a loose ferrule lets the handle work free.
Buying guide
Only six Marples boxwood chisels are listed, all from UK sellers, so the $35–100 delivered band isn't a market read. For a user, the set of seven titled mid century Sheffield at about $102 delivered is the buy at around $15 a chisel, while the 1/4 and 7/16-inch singles ask $12 each but come to $36 delivered with UK shipping. Date them by the neck where the blade meets the ferrule, square before about 1952, round until about 1985 and tapered after, and check the boxwood for splits at the ferrule and the top. The Marples historian rates the square neck best, and the only chisel titled that early, the 1945 Shamrock at $93 delivered, is restored and sharp, which suits a user better. It and the set of three are titled firmer, and if the edges are square that's Marples' boxwood firmer, the No. 317, sold beside the bevel-edge No. 377.
$36.18est. delivered
The lowest price here, a 1/4-inch chisel with a boxwood handle and brass ferrule, but $24 of the $36 delivered is UK shipping. The title says circa 1/4 inch, so ask for the width and check the neck and stamp in the photos.
Marples Chisel - circa 1/4” - Boxwood handle with Brass ferulle - Vintage
$102.07est. delivered
Seven Sheffield chisels with boxwood handles for about $102 delivered, around $15 each and the cheapest set here, $2 over the band top. Count them and check the necks in the photos, since mid century is the seller's date.
7 MID CENTURY MARPLES /SHEFFIELD CHISELS WITH. BOXWOOD HANDLES
$92.94est. delivered
Titled restored and sharp, so it should cut on arrival. It's a 1 1/4-inch firmer at about $93 delivered, $31 of it UK shipping, and if it's from 1945 as titled, the neck should be square. A green shamrock transfer on the handle would point to about 1958–1967 instead.
Vintage Marples Shamrock 1 1/4" Firmer Chisel Boxwood Handle Restored Sharp 1945
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$36.18est. delivered
$12.19 + $23.99 shipping
Buy It Now$12.19
Good buy
About 1/4 inch per the title. Shipping is two thirds of the price.
Seller: speedboat-ted
100% positive
Used$102.07est. delivered
$79.40 + $22.67 shipping
Buy It Now$79.40
Good buy
Seven chisels, Sheffield, mid century per the title.
Seller: edthewood
100% positive
Refurbished$92.94est. delivered
$62.09 + $30.85 shipping
Buy It Now$62.09
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Good buy
Restored and sharp per the title, dated 1945 by the seller. Titled firmer.
Seller: greycap42
100% positive
Used$36.18est. delivered
$12.19 + $23.99 shipping
Buy It Now$12.19
Our take
Same seller and title as the cheapest one. Compare photos for the better blade.
Seller: speedboat-ted
100% positive
Used$36.18est. delivered
$12.19 + $23.99 shipping
Buy It Now$12.19
Our take
About 7/16 inch, same seller as the two 1/4-inch ones. Ask about combined shipping.
Seller: speedboat-ted
100% positive
Used$116.43est. delivered
$100.58 + $15.85 shipping
Buy It Now$100.58
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Three firmers in excellent condition per the title, about $39 each delivered.
Seller: myvintageto-12
100% positive
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