Gardner

Discussion in 'Forum: Saw Identification and Discussion' started by kiwi, Jun 10, 2013.

  1. kiwi

    kiwi Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    355
    This one's for Ray [almost the same family spelling]
    A 22" finishing saw in 11ppi from T J Gardner, Bristol
    [I got it in a box of saws (not ANOTHER box of saws !! :) ) at an estate auction this past weekend]

    The etch reads;
    "T J Gardner
    Century Tool Works
    Bristol
    Warranted London Spring"
    with a Disston-esque quality statement;
    "For Quality & Workmanship this Saw cannot be excelled. T J Gardner"

    It has a blank medallion (because nothing more need be said ? )

    Goodman lists Thomas J Gardner as being in business 1880-1939, (succeeding George P Gardner 1843-79).
    A 1938 advert lists "Gardner & Co, Century Tool Works,....... for 135 years we have specialised in the manufacturing of Tools for all Trades, Saw Work and General Repairs and Grinding"
    I'd guess this saw dates to around WW1 (pre "Gardner & Co" ) It fits my hand very nicely, but needs a bit of a cleanup and sharpening.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. fred0325

    fred0325 Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    1,084
    Hi Kiwi,

    I can add very little, but here is a 1907 image from Graces Guide. This is all they have, no text info at all. And nothing about saws!!
     

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  3. Barleys

    Barleys Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    546
    Nice saw, Kiwi - you have a real eye for the right box.

    Gardners were primarily plane makers, according to Brit Planemakers. Entry from my database as follows:

    GARDNER, Thomas J. BRISTOL
    3A Narrow Wine Street & 15 Lower Castle Street 1910
    Pithay is the part of Bristol in which the above streets are situated. 1910 is the only year in which this firm was listed under saw makers. According to BPM3 they were primarily planemakers, from 1880-1939; saws bearing their name may well have been factored for them at dates before and after 1910
    (and an early 20th century catalogue shows that they certainly were at that date).

    Picture shows why Pithay is mentioned. Jane Rees (editing the 4th edition of BPM at the moment) tells me that she has quite a lot more information on Bristol tool makers to include, so that info could well be incomplete.

    Uploaded ( I thought ) a picture of a Gardner brass back (made by Garlick, complete with grinning lynx) but can't make it appear. The wording is "Gardner/Pithay/Bristol/ Lynx+image"
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2013
  4. kiwi

    kiwi Most Valued Member

    Messages:
    355
    Found a listing for my saw in T J Gardner's 1917 catalogue (stock item 1038)
    This catalogue is available on line, along with a bunch of other interesting catalogues, courtesy of TATHS, at
    https://taths.org.uk/reading/downloads
    Note; in Gardner's catalogue, p135, they offer to sharpen and set your saw from 4d each, and rehandle it for 1/-

    Gardner's catalogue, saws.png
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2020
    Underthedirt likes this.