Need help indentifing and dating a Disston saw.

[Matthew Holloway]

I pick up this saw at the flea market to day. The seller didn't know anything about it. For 5 bucks I took the chance on it. I spent a good portion of my afternoon searching the net and came up nothing. I'm guessing someone cut off the tip and reshaped the handle. It is 19 1/2" long and 12tpi. The teeth are in poor shape. They are uneven and have no set.:confused: If I put this saw to use I will have to find someone to sharpen it. I would like to learn how but I will have little free time in the next few months.:( The etching on the blade is hard too make out. Right now the only word I can read is "KEYSTONE". If I remember correctly that is Disston's budget line of saws right? I tried to photograph it but it didn't come out.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/holloway1985/DSC04760.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/holloway1985/DSC04767.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee60/holloway1985/DSC04769.jpg

[Jim Koepke]

Did you look at the Disstonian institute?

Looks like the earliest the medallion could be is 1917.

http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/medv2.html

The saw could have been cut. There might be some evidence if this is the case. The handle could have a broken top horn.

I think even the saws that were not Keystone branded may have said "from the Keystone Works" on the saw plate.

It could also be a bone saw or one used by a butcher.

Here is another article on Disston back saws:

http://www.wkfinetools.com/contrib/pBaker/datingDisston/datDisston-01.asp

It strikes me that the medallion and the stamping on the back to not go together. Then again it could have been a factory mix of Disston & Sons backs and Disston Phila medallions.

jtk

[Jonathan McCullough]

Don't know about the medallion dating, but the handle looks like a later-model (1930s-1950s?) No. 4 back saw that's been modified. It resembles the handles on stair maker's saws. The front also looks modified to act as a pattern maker's saw. I'm not fully versed in pattern making requirements, but my understanding that they had to saw into a lot of corners, hence the toe cut to an angle there. If you google pattern maker's saw you'll see some examples, but this looks like a craftsman-modified version. Interesting.

[Johnny Kleso]

Looks like someone cut the horn off the handle and smoothed it over and cut the front of the saw at a angle too..