Who has the earliest Disston saw.

[Mike'smeatshop]

After climbing down the rabbit hole. This company deserves some recognition for taking care of their employees. I will start with a 1870s hand saw with Disston and sons. After inspecting at least 20 or more. I could be wrong on date.

 

[FTWingRiders]

Nice! I’ve got a few in the shop I’ll have to look at..

 

[bonneyman]

I have this old Disston keyhole saw that was missing the blade, so I turned it into a compact hacksaw. Someone educated me, and I'm on the hunt for a OEM keyhole blade.
Don't know how old it is but it's gotta be fairly geriatric.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I have this old Disston keyhole saw that was missing the blade, so I turned it into a compact hacksaw. Someone educated me, and I'm on the hunt for a OEM keyhole blade.
Don't know how old it is but it's gotta be fairly geriatric.

Yea. I will have to go down that hole.

 

[RTM]

Here is the medallion age reference for those playing along at home

Online Reference of Disston Saws -- The Medallions

identifying and dating disston saws

www.disstonianinstitute.com

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Here is the medallion age reference for those playing along at home

Online Reference of Disston Saws -- The Medallions

identifying and dating disston saws

www.disstonianinstitute.com

Thanks RTM. Yup 1876 is mine.

 

[RTM]

Dang it, now I have to go digging thru this pile. It has grown substantially since this picture over 20 years ago. And it's possibly not my oldest saw, either.



There is at least one 1876-88 straight back rip saw with 4.5 tpi.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Don't know how old it is but it's gotta be fairly geriatric.

That's a later version of a holder they patented in 1877. The earliest was open on the flip side and just had the patent info on the top side. I have a couple. Go here and then scroll down to post #20 and #21 and you'll see what I mean.

 

[bonneyman]

That's a later version of a holder they patented in 1877. The earliest was open on the flip side and just had the patent info on the top side. I have a couple. Go here and then scroll down to post #20 and #21 and you'll see what I mean.

Nice! Brass, too!

 

[WisJim]

I think that my oldest Disston handsaw is an "and son" era saw, so 1865 to 1871 range. I'll try to remember to get a picture of it.

 

[Louisville.Boy1947]

I am late posting, but I have one to contribute to the discussion. I believe it dates to the 1850s. I will try to attach pictures. There is an etch on the blade but the glare from the lighting washes it out in all my attempts to get a decent picture. The medallion is what I used to attempt to date this saw.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I am late posting, but I have one to contribute to the discussion. I believe it dates to the 1850s. I will try to attach pictures. There is an etch on the blade but the glare from the lighting washes it out in all my attempts to get a decent picture. The medallion is what I used to attempt to date this saw.

Great saw. As of now, You're the Weiner. lol.

 

[RTM]

I am late posting, but I have one to contribute to the discussion. I believe it dates to the 1850s. I will try to attach pictures. There is an etch on the blade but the glare from the lighting washes it out in all my attempts to get a decent picture. The medallion is what I used to attempt to date this saw.

Post the back of the handle too, so we can see the nuts. I mean if you are gonna show off, do it all the way.

 

[Louisville.Boy1947]

Alright RTM, here is the a shot of the split nuts and the blade etch (poor picture).

 

[RTM]

Alright RTM, here is the a shot of the split nuts and the blade etch (poor picture).

You might have better luck taking pix of the etch with a lower power light, at a low angle, moving it around in a circle til you find the least glare.

 

[pfaustus]

I may have sold it. I would have to look. Split nuts. Stamped not etched: "Henry Disston"

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I found a couple of my old saws, one a Disston Canada the other a Warranted Superior a second stringer made by Disston. The Keyhole saw does have the # 20 on the blade. There maybe other markings but will require a little elbow grease.

 

[LuckeyLoser]

After climbing down the rabbit hole. This company deserves some recognition for taking care of their employees. I will start with a 1870s hand saw with Disston and sons. After inspecting at least 20 or more. I could be wrong on date.

 

[LuckeyLoser]

I purchased this saw many years ago. Listed it on ebay the next day. Ten days later it sold to a collecter. It was my best pick ever.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I purchased this saw many years ago. Listed it on ebay the next day. Ten days later it sold to a collecter. It was my best pick ever.

Yea. That is a gem. Have you aged it before you sold it?

 

[B Halverson]

I am late posting, but I have one to contribute to the discussion. I believe it dates to the 1850s. I will try to attach pictures. There is an etch on the blade but the glare from the lighting washes it out in all my attempts to get a decent picture. The medallion is what I used to attempt to date this saw.

If your saw has an etched name and not a stamp, then it is from 1865, as that is the year the etch took over from the stamp, and it is the only year that an etched saw did not have "and son" on it. If you have a stamp, then your saw is from about 1860-1865, because those are the years it is agreed that the medallions with the stars on both sides of the eagle were used.

My entry for this thread is this 1850s Disston "inchworm" rip saw. This specific stamp was used during the 1850s, and so was it's "fat neck" optimistic eagle medallion. And old guy who was moving out of town and cleaning out his basement gave me this saw, one of about 200 old saws I have laying around;

 

[B Halverson]

I was pleased to pick this up today, it is not the oldest Disston saw, but it is one of the older Disston D-8 saws from about the 1880s, which is probably their most well-known saw, and maybe the saw they made more of than any other model. I have seen many dozens of D8 Disston saws over the years, but only a handful of these early ones in nice condition and this is one of them as I did not even have to clean any rust off it's blade and it's etch is easily visible. It has a nice old repair of it's handle where someone put some very small brads in the top to attach or strengthen part of it which cracked, and it is so nicely done I think it adds to the saw.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I was pleased to pick this up today, it is not the oldest Disston saw, but it is one of the older Disston D-8 saws from about the 1880s, which is probably their most well-known saw, and maybe the saw they made more of than any other model. I have seen many dozens of D8 Disston saws over the years, but only a handful of these early ones in nice condition and this is one of them as I did not even have to clean any rust off it's blade and it's etch is easily visible. It has a nice old repair of it's handle where someone put some very small brads in the top to attach or strengthen part of it which cracked, and it is so nicely done I think it adds to the saw.

That does add character. Are there split rivets on the back side?

 

[B Halverson]

That does add character. Are there split rivets on the back side?

The d8 did not come out until about the same time Disston switched to the modern looking saw screws. It was the "modern" saw look that became the industry standard and stayed in production for as long as Disston saws were made, which counting various companies that owned it after Disston was bought out could be close to 100 years of D8 saws.....

 

[rustynutts]

I’ll throw my hat in the ring with this 10” back saw. Not sure of the year, but I believe pre civil war. Would like to pass this on if there is any interest.

 

[DetailSeeker]

I’ll throw my hat in the ring with this 10” back saw. Not sure of the year, but I believe pre civil war. Would like to pass this on if there is any interest.

I mean, the medallion definitely looks (to me) most like one of the 1840s-50s ones (angle of the head, comma after "Disston") , so I'd agree.

(I would also like it, but I suspect I would not fully appreciate it, also and suspect you will be hearing from a lot of very interested folks rather nearer to you.)

I've got a 71-75 backsaw. And yes, I will be looking to replace that aftermarket screw.

 

[RTM]

but I believe pre civil war

1840s to 50s per

Online Reference of Disston Saws -- The Medallions

identifying and dating disston saws

www.disstonianinstitute.com

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

I mean, the medallion definitely looks (to me) most like one of the 1840s-50s ones (angle of the head, comma after "Disston") , so I'd agree.

(I would also like it, but I suspect I would not fully appreciate it, also and suspect you will be hearing from a lot of very interested folks rather nearer to you.)

I've got a 71-75 backsaw. And yes, I will be looking to replace that aftermarket screw.

That is a gem. I would be interested but I cannot trust our postal service here. Everything I have tried to mail or receive has gotten lost or damaged. To much history to get damaged. Thanks though.