Hello all, I am a little lost as to the age of this saw. BSSM has a mark similar to this one on a handsaw that is dated about 1840, but the similarity probably has as much to do with the corrosion patterns of the marks as the marks themselves. I don't remember seeing a "London flat" on a Sorby backsaw before, but perhaps that is just me taking very little notice of the brand as Sorbys are ten-a-penny up here in Scotland. As for "German Steel", it could indicate an early saw, a late saw or anywhere in between. Judging by the depth of blade, this saw has not had an enormous amount of use and that throws a spanner in the works for me as it is very atypical of the saws that I normally handle. If pushed, I would have to go for 3rd quarter of the 19th century (or later) on handle size and detail alone. I do, however stand to be corrected. Fred
Hi Fred, That is a lovely saw! >insert jealous emoji< I have an 1830ish Sorby tenon with a "London Flat" similar to yours. Definitely a candidate for using with that depth of blade, a lovely rare find & thanks for sharing... Regards Mari
Thanks for that Mari, It is so helpful. The handles have similarities, but yours is proportionally much larger and has what I describe as "fuller cheeks" than mine does. Yours also has a chamfered back and just "looks" like an 1820's/30's saw. It also has a fair amount of blade left for such an early saw. I often wonder what such saws have been doing for the last 180 odd years. They must have had very long rest periods in between working. A lovely saw, and brass backed as well. Fred
Thanks Fred, I love the nose on yours & would love to see a close up if possible please of the arris to the timber on the top, is it stepped or just flat? Also the low lines of stamps look fantastic on yours- you have a lovely lovely backsaw there. Regards Mari
Hi Mari, Some photo's of the handle. The only real blemish is the chunk taken out just in front of the top screw, but I can live with that. Fred
Wow, it's gorgeous, personally I like the simple bevel / arris on the nose of early saws like yours, the damage doesn't bother me either- for a 180 year old saw it carries itself well & the scars are the journey of its life.... The top of the handle is crisp- it's hardly been used, thanks for sharing Fred. Regards Mari