Matt Hutchinson
10-27-2015, 5:43 PM
Flashback:
A year ago I was at a garage/tool sale in the country around my in-laws' house. I bought about a dozen hand saws for $15. I was very happy with this as there were some old Disstons, Atkins, and Peace that were worth refurbishing into "user" condition. Of course, I knew I wouldn't get around to cleaning them up/sharpening them for a while, and I put them in a box.
Present Day:
I have been going through a major shop reorganization, and I decided I would go through the pile of handsaws I have laying around. Gleefully distracted from the work that actually needs to get done, I brought each saw into the light to see what I actually have. After being pleased with the usual "cool" old saws I ran across one that I had never seen before. Not only that, but it didn't even have a "brand medallion" in the handle like most old saws. Hm. So I examined it even closer, and there it was stamped on the brass shoulder strips on the front edge of the handle: Hiram Smith, Patent May 18, 1858. I immediately got excited, and after a bit of searching online I could only find limited info on that name. As it turns out, I had myself an old combination saw!
The saw is designed with a straight edged spine, engraved with a ruler. The handle has brass strips on the leading edge, and it's attached at 90 degrees to the spine of the blade so it can be used as a square. Also, there was originally a scratch awl housed in the top of the handle, now missing. There is a number 3 stamped on the blade. The poor thing is in rough shape, but I still can't help but be excited about stumbling upon such a cool old saw!!
From what info I have gathered so far it seem to be an early Disston #29 combo saw. It predates the famous #43, as Hiram Smiths patent was built upon for that saw. According to the info found it seems like it may date from between 1858-1860.
Any one able to help with info? Dare I clean it? Thanks!
- Hutch
Grand Rapids Woodworking, LLC
Grand Rapids, MI
A year ago I was at a garage/tool sale in the country around my in-laws' house. I bought about a dozen hand saws for $15. I was very happy with this as there were some old Disstons, Atkins, and Peace that were worth refurbishing into "user" condition. Of course, I knew I wouldn't get around to cleaning them up/sharpening them for a while, and I put them in a box.
Present Day:
I have been going through a major shop reorganization, and I decided I would go through the pile of handsaws I have laying around. Gleefully distracted from the work that actually needs to get done, I brought each saw into the light to see what I actually have. After being pleased with the usual "cool" old saws I ran across one that I had never seen before. Not only that, but it didn't even have a "brand medallion" in the handle like most old saws. Hm. So I examined it even closer, and there it was stamped on the brass shoulder strips on the front edge of the handle: Hiram Smith, Patent May 18, 1858. I immediately got excited, and after a bit of searching online I could only find limited info on that name. As it turns out, I had myself an old combination saw!
The saw is designed with a straight edged spine, engraved with a ruler. The handle has brass strips on the leading edge, and it's attached at 90 degrees to the spine of the blade so it can be used as a square. Also, there was originally a scratch awl housed in the top of the handle, now missing. There is a number 3 stamped on the blade. The poor thing is in rough shape, but I still can't help but be excited about stumbling upon such a cool old saw!!
From what info I have gathered so far it seem to be an early Disston #29 combo saw. It predates the famous #43, as Hiram Smiths patent was built upon for that saw. According to the info found it seems like it may date from between 1858-1860.
Any one able to help with info? Dare I clean it? Thanks!
- Hutch
Grand Rapids Woodworking, LLC
Grand Rapids, MI