Guinea Saw

Discussion in 'Forum: Saw Identification and Discussion' started by kiwi, May 28, 2016.

  1. kiwi

    kiwi Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    355
    This "Guinea Saw" (by Taylor Bros) was found this week at a local estate auction. It's a 26", 11 ppi, crosscut, in good condition, with a nice etch. Unfortunately it came in a "Bell Canada" scabbard which attracted some other bidders, (fortunately they dropped out after my $15 bid). Pictures below are the saw "as found".
    Previous discussion on this model at http://www.backsaw.net/forum/index.php?threads/very-curious-medallions-pseudo-medallions.570/
    This saw model was noted as a "new" style in 1884 (see http://www.wkfinetools.com/hUK-Saws/TaylorBros/history/taylorBros-History-08.asp ), and Simon has noted that this was a mass produced model and not one of Taylor's top line saws.

    An interesting aspect of this particular saw is its handle, which differs from all the other Guinea saws I've found reference to. It has a black paint finish (looks original), steel plates on both sides, and domed brass split nuts. It must have looked spiffy when new, with the golden brass screws/medallions contrasting the polished blued steel and black painted wood.

    The only other saws I've seen with plates on both sides of the handle have been by Joseph Peace, and the only other domed split nuts I've seen were iron.

    Any other examples of double plated handles ??

    Any other examples of domed brass split nuts ??


    P1030119.JPG P1030115.JPG P1030113.JPG P1030120.JPG P1030117.JPG
     
  2. fred0325

    fred0325 Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    1,084
    Hi Kiwi,

    I bought a Guinea saw a little while ago and I was going to put it on here. I am glad now that I did not.

    Yours is extraordinary but I cannot help you with double plates or brass cone nuts.

    I can merely hope that, some day, one comes my way.

    Fred
     
  3. wiktor48

    wiktor48 Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    97
    Kiwi,

    This is very nice example - I like it a lot. I am trying to finish the Taylors profile soon and would like to talk you you off line. Please contact me at wkuc48@gmail.com. Thanks!
     
  4. kiwi

    kiwi Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    355
    Fred, I would have been very happy with any Guinea saw. It was only after I had it home and under detailed inspection that the "extra" handle features registered through my thick skull. Don't let this saw stop you from displaying your Guinea saw too. Double medallions are sweet.

    Wiktor, email sent
     
  5. Barleys

    Barleys Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    546
    Nice saw, Kiwi, and one of the best preserved Guinea etches I've seen – they come up fairly often at the various auctions in the UK and online: I've been delayed by looking it up in the 4 (only) catalogues of the company in the Hawley Collection (1890-ish, 1920s, 1932 and 1950s).
    Your exact model is not in any of the catalogues, but I think it is probably an export model somewhere between 1890 and 1920s. I'll add some illustrative pages from the catalogues [copyright, Hawley Collection] for comparison. In the 1920s they were still making quite a lot of their range (by far the largest of any Sheffield saw company in the 19th century), with two pages of hand saws for the overseas trade, several with side plates and raised screws, but not with black handles, and one, uniquely, labelled simply Black Handle; these features could easily be used or not on any of their range at any time, I think, ditto the brass screws rather than steel.
    As one of the pictures says, the Guinea saw was not their best quality, and in price was their 3rd; and they made Guinea backsaws as well, the ones for overseas also with side plates.
    The order of the pictures is: 1920s x2 and 1932. The contrast in the quality of the handles between the dates is striking.
    I've added another example of my own from the 1930s, again showing the deteriorating handle quality, and of the etch as well.

    IMG_7479.JPG .

    IMG_7477.JPG



    IMG_7462.JPG

    IMG_6724.JPG
     
  6. Dusty Shed Dweller

    Dusty Shed Dweller Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    146
    Simon,

    If you ever commercialise any reprints of any of the Taylor Bros. catalogues could you please put me down for two copies.
     
  7. kiwi

    kiwi Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    355
    Thanks for the info and catalogue pictures Simon, (more interesting saw etches to look out for !)
    My handle shape looks close to the 1920s catalogue picture, (except for my side plates).

    With this shape of handle and no nib on the blade I could easily have overlooked this saw as "too modern" for my tastes, but I took a closer look when I noticed the double medallions:)

    [I second DSD's suggestion that you push for re-publishing old catalogues or collections of catalogues (now that you have all that spare time after completing your BSSM. :D )]
     
  8. Barleys

    Barleys Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    546
    Thanks for the suggestions: in fact it's one of several that the Trustees of the Hawley collection are considering, as we have hundreds of unique catalogues for all trades: getting it done is another matter!
    Simon

    (If Kiwi ever finds one of theirs with an etch of the Victoria Bridge, as illustrated, I would give him many many pennies for it – even if I had to come and collect it in person! He will know why)
    IMG_4535.JPG
     
  9. kiwi

    kiwi Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    355
    Victoria Bridge ? I'm looking for an old saw with an etch of the famous "Bridge at Bordeaux" (?sp?)
    BB.jpg :)