Here's the picture of the second mark:
http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv150/spizzerinctum/P1010059.jpg

I rescind my reply -- the two foot marks Iv'e seen are drawn with a square and these appear to be free hand.

Hi Harry:

Richard Harris' book Discovering Timber-Framed Buildings is based on the craft in England and has a table of various marks on p. 15. Along w/ roman numerals, the mark you refer to there on that barn looks like a number of ways carpenters have used to designate the sequence 1,2,3.

The caption w/ the table in the book reads: "A variety of identification tags attached to numbers 1,2,3."

I have drawn what the book shows below:



The book also shows the same sequence, but w/ whole circles and lines. The semi-circle looks like just another variation. I wonder what they did for the number 4,5 and so on??

I thought these marks were from Lord of The Rings!

Richard Harris' book is quite the valuable little resource, and should be read by every person with an interest in timber framing.

Thanks to all of you for your replies. I think we have it nailed now!
Harry

Hi All,

I would urge caution when making reference to the carpenter's mark illustrations that can be found within the pages of books. This really is a topic where variety is the order of the day and marking is not covered to any great extent within the pages Richard's timber framing primer. This book provides a good affordable start to beginning to understand English timber frame practice but gives little insight into mainland European or North American practice.

Tradition, practice and typical patterns employed in the marking of timbers do not travel far, it is variable across counties, countries and centuries and is also dependant on whether the timbers are green or dry (inc. reused) when marked.

Oft times timbers do not appear to be marked at all. Its quite possible that concealed marking might be employed.

I am not yet aware of anyone who has made an extensive never mind exhaustive study of timber marking.

Regards

Ken Hume

wow. that is a masterful mark to leave on a timber. like a signing off to each

Ken,
I can appreciate your statements regarding the origin and possible meanings of these marks. I have not been able to find any authoritative source either. Some of the answers to my question certainly make sense, but I doubt if we'll get any farther than that.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Regards,
Harry

In my last conversation with Jack Sobon, I asked him what area of timber framing was least researched, and he said that markings were in need of attention. It was an interesting moment, as that was my opinion as well, having had no luck looking into them in the past. I have been trying to take it upon myself to look into the matter, but don't have any idea where to begin, really. I am going to try to get an accurate map of the marks on this barn I am surveying, as well as an estimate of the date of construction, and region of the builder. It appears to have German roots.

Take a look at this "study" done in England. I sent the author an e-mail a few minutes ago to see if he knows any more.
http://www.dbrg.org.uk/Marks/Cmarks.pdf
I'm beginning to think that these old builders had a raceknife in their pocket (A race knife is a cutting knife used in shipbuilding, having a blade that is hooked at the point, and is used for marking outlines, on boards or metals, as by a pattern.) and they simply used it to make just another mark instead of using 100 or more Roman numerals to mark joints. It looks as if I and many of you have been going a bit crazy trying to find a better or different answer. This one's good enough for me! Off to the next mystery,
Harry