Stainless steel table cutlery was enthusiastically taken up by retailers around the UK, after its development during the First World War. This knife, made in Sheffield by an unknown maker, was probably retailed by W. Austin Balsom, a Reading jeweller. In 1919, Balsom had advertised ‘Austin’ stainless cutlery as the ‘Aristocrat’ of the table, which ‘entirely dispenses with knife cleaning in every shape and form’ (Reading Observer, 29 November 1919). William Austin Balsom (1869-1936) had been born at Jersey, the son of a builder. He came to Reading in 1890 and acquired experience in the local jewellery trade. In 1898, he married Ethel Maud nee Tyte (1875-1956), the daughter of a jeweller. In 1911, Balsom took over the jewellery shop at 14 King Street of Edwin S. Tanner (1841-1934) , who had become blind.  Balsom built up the business (‘The Home of Value’) into ‘one of the best known in the jewellery trade in the county’ (Reading Standard, 19 June 1936). He celebrated his firm’s silver jubilee in March 1936, when he also acquired another jewellery shop. This was Charles Cotterell, Friar Street, which he placed under the charge of his son, Francis A. Balsom (1912-1967).  However, Austin Balsom collapsed and died at his home, 10 Warwick Road, on 13 June 1936. A Methodist and a freemason, the funeral was at the Wesley Church in Queen’s Road, preceding cremation. He left an estate valued at £19,316.

His son’s tenure at the family firm was interrupted by War service with the RAF. Francis announced that he was back at work in 1946. But in 1961 he retired and closed the business (Reading Standard, 22 September 1961). Within a few years, it had become a ‘Wimpy’ fast food outlet, with the Austin Balsom signage still on the building.