Nicely done Ray. It looks like there is a lot of potential for new info to be gathered in what is turning out to be a passion for a lot of people. I am sure the group \"daddy has a saw problem\" has a lot of members and need a place to visit and share their saws. I may not have a lot of primary info to give to the forum but there may be a \"few\" saws that others would be interested in seeing or have info on. Cheers Joe Steiner
Hi Joe, Welcome to the site, and thanks for the comments. I didn\'t think of it till now, but \"Daddy has a saw problem\" anonymous has a certain ring to it. Regards Ray
I thought I would like to get this rolling by showing this diminutive little saw that came \"freely\" my way some twenty years ago. It was the grease that really started this slippery slide and has allowed me to produce some acceptable dove-tails after much practice. At that time I hadn\'t any info on the maker and research wasn\'t getting me anywhere. A few years later, after some on-line discussions with Bob Brode, he was able to share with me a little about the Sheffield saw makers Brumby and Middleton through research from his Ken Roberts books and lead me to other sources of information. The potential for sharing pictures as documentation and verification is really exciting and so I was wondering if it possible Ray to include pictures of some of these saws with the list as another identification process in the \"Check List of saw makers\". Anyways....this 10 inch, Brass Back, two split nut, beech, open handled dove-tail saw was made by the Sheffield saw makers Brumby and Middleton in the mid 19th century. Warranted the \"Best Cast Steel\" the blade has been well loved and sharpened many times down to a short 1 \" depth. The bottom horn and fishtail have been filed or curved maybe even to allow a sharpener the ability joint the teeth after so many years. Relatively uncommon, I have seen maybe one for sale on the large electronic auction service over the years. If you need any more stats and info I\'d be glad to share Joe Steiner
Hi Joe, Thanks for the comments, greatly appreciated. According to \"Handsaw Makers of Britain\" Brumby and Middleton were in business for only a relatively short period from 1849 to 1860. There is a William Ward Brumby listed as a Merchant & Manufacturer in White\'s 1852, A Willian Brumby (Innkeeper) died 8th March 1859. (might be our guy, might be a relative) The other one. William MIDDLETON Merchant and manufacturer (Brumby & Middleton) h. 4 Sandon Place White\'s 1852 In the City Road Cemetery (no way of telling if this relevant) 15 Jun 1866 William MIDDLETON Cutler Age(42) There are 15 William Middleton\'s in the 1851 Census for Sheffield, so it gets\' tricky to trace the right one. Summarizing, Looks like William Ward Brumby and William Middleton were in business as Merchants from 1849 to 1860, possibly the demise of the business was related to the death in 1859 of William Brumby. Guessing here but, I suspect, they were probably buying saws marked with their own stamp, from one of the other makers. Your\'s looks to be in excellent, the bottom of the handle notwithstanding. There is something about using a, 19th Century Saw, those guys, really knew their stuff. Regarding the checklist, I have been pondering how best to organize that. At the moment it is just raw data and at present mostly just Sheffield, still have lot\'s to upload (about 1000 to be precise). I am thinking along the lines you suggest, link to picture, link to company history if there is one. Thanks again for you comments. Regards Ray
Thanks Ray for all the extra info on this \"merchant\\ manufacturer\". I have to amend the total length to 8\" rather than the 10\" as previously stated. (over-estimation issues). I also think I should be including contextual reference in the pictures for a better perspective in the future. I will be sending pics of some more of the more obscurer and earlier makers shortly for sure. Cheers Joe Steiner