Hello all, I bought this specifically for the medallions. Other than these it is probably quite a run-of-the-mill saw, and even with these it is just as probably not exceptional by Joseph Peace's standards for decoration. A few posts ago I was corrected by Simon when I assumed that "Best" stamped on a saw meant just that - best steel being used in its manufacture. But this is not necessarily the case. I hope that this one is an exception that proves the rule. (See medallion pic.). It would be sad if this saw is a third rater or worse. This saw is probably at the latter end of the mixed case Sheffield mark (1870 -ish??), but it does put a date which is earlier than I thought to the usage of (what I consider to be the awful) orange /yellow varnish that was applied to handles. Apologies for the distorted look of the handle. The image was taken from the base of the saw-blade looking upwards. I'll take a proper handle image and put it on. Fred
Enviably fine hand saw, Fred. Any evidence that it's been across the Atlantic? To buttress my theory that triple medallions are usually/always/sometimes [which is it?] on export models only? The "Best" is here, I'm sure, pure marketing bling. Not much later than 1870-ish, I think.
If this saw did go to America Simon, then it made its way back to Southampton. But its last home being Southampton, it is possible that such a trip was made. The seller looks like he/she is a tool dealer and would probably have very little to add to the debate. Can I take it from your penultimate sentence that this saw was of a lesser quality and as a result I'll be a very unhappy bunny over Christmas. (Can't get the smilies to work). Fred