However, the shearing marks are not like a 'C', and as Peter has confirmed, they are 'T' or 'Y' shaped where the scissors may have produced more than one cut, and they are found on the underside of the foot only. As I understand it from Wilkinson, the 'C' mark would appear, feintly perhaps, on the top side of the foot only, and is the impression from the platform of the gadget. A little knowledge is dangerous, as I know only too well, and my only experience of glass making is that I once stood on the walkway looking down on what may well have been Frank Thrower, when visiting Dartington - more years ago than I care to remember. It may well have been that shearing, as opposed to snapping the pontil away from the piece, was carried out solely because it is more economical, and saved having to grind/polish the pontil scar afterwards (used on cheaper material (i.e. pub glasses).
No one should be buying those clowns anyway - kitsch - garish, and very poor taste
P.S. I understand that the gadget mark is not seen before 1860
P.P.S. In addition to ..........snapped pontils - ground/polished pontil scars and gadget marks, there is a fourth underside finish to the foot, apparently. This is the 'swirl' effect, and seems to have been created in some way by a different type of gadget. In place of a 'T' or 'Y', there is the impression of a spiral in the centre of the foot, and may possibly be the result of twisting the piece away at the foot, but I really am not sure. Date wise it is more or less contemporary with the 'T' and 'Y'. (This information comes courtesy of Chris Elwell at Chris Buckman Select Antiques).