Antique Staunton--Please Help Me Identify It

Many thanks for all the great photos, Mike. Alan did a terrific restoration job.

Here are some exemplars of a 77mm set from Dorland's Antique Chess Sets.

You're welcome Chuck, Yes he did! Thanks for the great post

And here's a 3.5" Ayres set  pics

As an initial observation, The machine cuts on the rooks and bishop slots would argue for a 20th c date. I think that comparing such details with other sets of known date will help pin it's date of manufacture down at least if not maker. If it is weighted a look at the lead weights can also be instructive.

I told Chuck privately that I concur w/ the "probably an Ayres" attribution. That being said, there's no confirmed factual basis for that right now that I know of. Here are some links for further research:

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/108759751128274390004/album/AF1QipN6ICCJnpQyMNgt8dz7hXSSvDLCfBaiwNYEpbzI (good overview from Guy Lyons on research re Ayres)

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/108759751128274390004/album/AF1QipNsqqqS3VhshJbDcidBeMmdkVekRduwgohrXy6X/AF1QipMQJR6scV5DUjHOXtjj2dJp2BcP3cERtCHu24LQ

Chuck, those British made knights, whether Jaques or other makers, are peculiarly attractive. 

On a tangent, the speckled appearance of the ebony knights in some of the pictures looks like my those on my circa 1900 Jaques.  Why does that happen?

Hi Mark,

Although you are not asking for my opinion I will assume you do not mind if I put my twopennorth in...

I have seen this speckling on the ebony knights fairly often. It does not seem to happen on the boxwood side, or is much less noticeable. I think the knights heads were finished in a varnish by hand whereas the turned pieces could be polished on the lathe with a friction polish.

I think if there are any chemists amongst us this could be verified.

Thanks, Mark! Alan's explanation certainly seems plausible to me.

Many thanks, Frank. I can't wait to dig into the research materials!

Many thanks for your learned input, Alan!

Very beautiful pieces! I wish i had them

Many thanks, CBW! I can't wait to get my hands on them!

Just as a tip for any players thinking of getting an old set to use.

The older 20th c sets are becoming collectable now as are the 1950-60s Russian sets. I suggest that anyone interested should scan the British auction houses as well as invaluable.com and ebay (obviously).

Stamped Jaques sets still come up but tend to be expensive.

Thanks to chessspy1 for the input   I have not retouched my antique Jaques, but wonder if a wax would obviate the speckling?

Sorry about the picture rotation.  Just switched to V3 and haven't found the preview.