
This saw was
purchased at auction on eBay with several others for a lot
price.
I actually was after the No. 12 in the group but hoped this one
would also have possibilities. Based on the handle it looks like
an older No. 7 or 8 to me but until it is cleaned up, who knows?

With the handle off I did a little cleaning with mineral spirits
and 320 grit wet / dry paper and was able to see a very faint
etch. Looks to be a No. 7. I also looked up the medallion and
screw type to date it. 1876-1877 is a match according to the
Disstonian Institute website.

I was a little disappointed; for I had hoped for a No. 8 but
still I think this is a special saw. It will however, have its
challenges for rehab.
To keep it original I will need to find a matching screw to
replace the missing one.
A light cleaning of the plate also revealed a couple plate
issues but I believe I can deal with those. The etch is so light
that it will not likely survive the final cleaning that this
plate needs.
What really makes this saw special to me is the very thin plate
with 12 point tooth line. Examining the teeth closely shows what
was once a traditional tooth form with sloped or undercut
gullets.

This is the saw before doing anything to it. It is still sharp
enough to quickly hack off a 2 x 4 and leave a decent finish
except for a little rust. I know because I couldn’t resist
trying it.
Notice the nice little sets of two teeth look.

That’s actually an optical illusion. It’s also a dead giveaway
of the seemingly lost art of sloping the gullets. Lost because
they could only be produced by hand.
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