Vintage Wheeler Madden & Clemson Back Saw and Hand Planes

[Maui]

I recently purchased a very large number of vintage wood planes (mostly Stanley) and some other wood working tools from an estate. One of these tools is a very old miter saw. I tried performing an internet search and got a few hits on similar saws, but finding information on this specific model proved elusive. Unless somebody here can provide some insight, is there a group of knowledgeable folks who might have some answers regarding how old it is, rarity, etc? Is OWWM a good place to start? The saws I did find varied in price from about $50 to $4000. That is quite a wide range. I’d like to get a feel for what the actual value of this saw might be if possible, and I know OWWM does not usually allow such discussions. I’ve included some photos of a portion of the wood planes I purchased (there are many more than this) in case anyone would like to see them.

 

[toolmiser]

I do some woodworking, but don't call myself an expert. I think you have a "back saw", sort of a shortened version of a miter box saw. It's used by itself.

 

[woody 73]

There is a website, called worth point (see link below) that is a good starting point, although you need to pay a fee to belong to it.
You type in the tool, and you can find what it sold for.

Antiques, Art, and Collectibles - What's it Worth? | WorthPoint

What is it? What's it Worth? Find out at WorthPoint, the comprehensive antiques, art, and vintage collectibles research site. Home of the biggest pricing database plus marks, patterns, expert advice, and more.

www.worthpoint.com

 

[RTM]

I have a catalog from the saw maker somewhere. They were absorbed by Disston around 189

OWWM is only for big tools, they will take down hand tools etc.

fairly rare, don’t think i have one, I know a guy with a few.

that saw is probably not $4k in that condition, but can be brought up to be a nice user.
As toolmiser said, not a miter saw, more of a joinery saw, often called a dovetail saw these days. Don’t have your saw in my 1895 catalog, listed as a back saw, so I expect it is a bit earlier.

edit: not shown in the 1871 catalog either

Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Texts, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine

archive.org

Some interesting planes in the box.

 

[Maui]

Thanks for the information on the saw RTM. So it is from the 1800s! I figured it was somewhere in the mid to late 1800s/early 1900s. I found quite a variety of planes. For reference, there are about 40 or 50 more not included in the photos and the two planes on the lower right in the last photo are Stanley No. 2 planes.

 

[alinc100]

this is as close as I can find in a quick search: https://www.jimbodetools.com/products/15-point-10-inch-crosscut-clemson-back-saw-92639

 

[four.cycle]

Maui-

You might want to address your question to these gentlemen:
http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/unusual-wheeler-madden-clemson-saw.1068/

You're in a pretty narrow market niche, but the collectors of saws and planes are a dedicated bunch with a wealth of knowledge.

A little background information on the company can be found here:

Wheeler Madden & Clemson / Wheeler Madden & Clemson Mfg. Co., Middletown, NY / est. 1853 / saws / patent 104830 Jun 28 1870 William Clemson / https://www.davistownmuseum.org/bioWheeler.html / https://wrenchwiki.com/wheeler-madden-clemson/ / https://mycompanies.fandom.com/wiki/Wheeler,_Madden_&_Clemson_Manufacturing_Company / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/vintage-back-saw-and-hand-planes.495886/ /

Sounds like they were not only a major player, but also responsible for a number of innovations for which they were issued several patents.

 

[tombell572]

An amazing haul, Maui--would love to see the rest of the planes. Consider posting over on the "Show Us Your Hand Planes" thread.

Tom B.

 

[Maui]

Hi Tom, thanks! Once I have a chance to organize them I’ll do that. I didn’t realize there was a thread on hand planes. It was an amazing haul, and I’m still trying to figure out everything I have.

 

[tombell572]

Correction--if you search for that thread, "handplanes" is a single word in the title.

Tom B.

 

[RTM]

Show us your handplanes

The Mathieson family made some fine tools which was likely exemplified by their success. Almost any infill you find will be a fine looking tool, and usually a great worker too. Finding one you can afford is the challenge for me.

www.garagejournal.com

This should save a search

 

[Maui]

I just ran across this website that talks about just about all of the planes Stanley manufactured.

The Superior Works - Patrick's Blood & Gore: Preface

It may be a good resource of information.

 

[four.cycle]

Interesting timing on this thread, Maui.
see this post and the one just above it in the "hacksaw" thread

 

[RTM]

The Superior Works - Patrick's Blood & Gore: Preface

It may be a good resource of information.

Yup, one of my reference sites for Stanley plane info. Includes opinions on usability, but mostly flaws to look for. A great place when you find a plane, and think WTH was this for.

see oldtoolheaven.com for Millers Falls stuff, from a site with a bit less opinion, and more of a focus on the literature from catalogs.

 

[elidas]

I have some Clemson lawn mowers.

 

[Maui]

Here are most of the other hand planes that I picked up. I ended up with somewhere between 80 and 90 planes, plus a variety of other vintage wood working tools.