Ray Gardiner
06-01-2008, 7:12 AM
Latest saw restoration project is finished.
This is a small tenon saw, the blade is 14"x 2 3/4 x 0.032. This puts
it right on the boundary between a carcass saw and a sash saw, but the
blade thickness seems to thick for a carcass saw.
The makers mark is Melvin London, with advance and some kind of animal
logo, (could be a seal.)
According to Erwin L Schaffer and Don McConnell's book
"Handsaws Makers of Great Britain", they list Melvin London as circa 1840. but no other details.
This would lead you to think it was made in London around 1840.
Looking further into the same book....
However, "melvin" and "advance" were marks used by Taylor Brothers of
Sheffield, and they date from 1849-1915.
Also "London" was used as an indicator of quality, "London Spring" etc, much
like "deluxe" would be used today.
So, my conclusion is that it is a Sheffield saw made by Taylor Brothers
sometime after 1849.
What should the handle look like?
Since the saw handle fragment is all i've got to go on, I went googling for
saws with the J.Taylor, J.&I.Taylor marks etc. Eventually I found a J.&I.Taylor
with a handle style that matched the fragment that was left.
Incidentally the one that matched was a "London Pattern" closed handle.
I ended up making two handles, after making a rosewood handle that was
too thin for the screws and spit nuts, I make a second one from some
figured walnut. The handle is finished with shellac and wax.
The blade was cleaned with vinegar/salt. I was (am still) tempted to polish
the brass, but the restoration experts tell me that's a no-no. So I just left it.
I haven't yet sharpened and set it, that's to be in the next few days.
So a mid 19th century sash/tenon saw that was heading for the scrap
pile now has a new lease of life.
After 160 or so years of service, I hope it goes on making furniture for another 160 more.
The price on ebay was $0.99 plus $10 postage.
This is a small tenon saw, the blade is 14"x 2 3/4 x 0.032. This puts
it right on the boundary between a carcass saw and a sash saw, but the
blade thickness seems to thick for a carcass saw.
The makers mark is Melvin London, with advance and some kind of animal
logo, (could be a seal.)
According to Erwin L Schaffer and Don McConnell's book
"Handsaws Makers of Great Britain", they list Melvin London as circa 1840. but no other details.
This would lead you to think it was made in London around 1840.
Looking further into the same book....
However, "melvin" and "advance" were marks used by Taylor Brothers of
Sheffield, and they date from 1849-1915.
Also "London" was used as an indicator of quality, "London Spring" etc, much
like "deluxe" would be used today.
So, my conclusion is that it is a Sheffield saw made by Taylor Brothers
sometime after 1849.
What should the handle look like?
Since the saw handle fragment is all i've got to go on, I went googling for
saws with the J.Taylor, J.&I.Taylor marks etc. Eventually I found a J.&I.Taylor
with a handle style that matched the fragment that was left.
Incidentally the one that matched was a "London Pattern" closed handle.
I ended up making two handles, after making a rosewood handle that was
too thin for the screws and spit nuts, I make a second one from some
figured walnut. The handle is finished with shellac and wax.
The blade was cleaned with vinegar/salt. I was (am still) tempted to polish
the brass, but the restoration experts tell me that's a no-no. So I just left it.
I haven't yet sharpened and set it, that's to be in the next few days.
So a mid 19th century sash/tenon saw that was heading for the scrap
pile now has a new lease of life.
After 160 or so years of service, I hope it goes on making furniture for another 160 more.
The price on ebay was $0.99 plus $10 postage.