A 19th century brass fleam with an adjustable guard by Maw of London

The screw on the top allows the blade to be retracted and shielded or extended for use. A precursor to the Stanley knife but the purpose of the blade would have been for blood letting. The screw is stamped Maw London. Maw worked in isolation from 1826 until S Maw & Son started business in 1866.

• From the Ishmael collection