1800's Disston saw.

[CTyankee]

I posted a thread about an old wooden tool box I picked up at a church sale this past weekend. Here's the link to that post.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=213621

I've been slowly trying to ID and date some of the tools. My first thoughts were that the contents would be from the 1910's-20's. It appears that the saw in the box is considerably older. Sorry, the pics are the best I could take.

The combo saw, I believe is called a "compass" saw. It has 2 blades and one handle.
On the larger blade I can only make out - TEMPERED TO CUT NAILS
On the smaller blade it says -
HENRY DISSTON & SON
PH(?)
CAST STEEL (?) WARRANTED

From what I have found, the company was named that from 1865 - 1871, after which it became & SONS.

I can't find any marks on the handle, but the lever and locking "nut" are fairly worn. I'm psyched to see if a can date any of the other tools to near that time frame.

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

thats pretty sweet!

 

[sselander]

All things Disston ...

http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/

 

[Outlawmws]

VERY cool CT! I have a few older Disstons, but I don't think anything quite that old! Well done!

 

[rick carpenter]

I'd advise you to think a lot on how/if you rehab that saw, and probably most of the tools in the box. Don't overdo it. You can make good users out of them while still keeping the patina.

 

[CNGsaves]

I'd advise you to think a lot on how/if you rehab that saw, and probably most of the tools in the box. Don't overdo it. You can make good users out of them while still keeping the patina.

+1 to just maintain their current condition. Rub some WD-40 on the metal to keep it from rusting any further.

Let us know what your research turns up. What are they worth??

 

[CTyankee]

All things Disston ...

http://www.disstonianinstitute.com/

A site I've been spending a lot of time on...some interesting reading.

I'd advise you to think a lot on how/if you rehab that saw, and probably most of the tools in the box. Don't overdo it. You can make good users out of them while still keeping the patina.

I'm old enough and wise enough to realize that I am only a temporary caretaker of any objects in my possession. But your advice can't be repeated enough when it comes to certain objects that deserve preserving.

+1 to just maintain their current condition. Rub some WD-40 on the metal to keep it from rusting any further.

Let us know what your research turns up. What are they worth??

I honestly don't know the value of them, but from my limited research, it doesn't seem that there is a ton of value in regards to older tools like this. Exceptions would be rare, few-know types that can fetch some big dollars.

 

[gus1962]

Super vintage. Sweet!