There is not a lot to say about this as Ray already has an image on the site under "closed handles", I think. It was bought yesterday at a farm implement/ machinary sale and I have taken the rust off the blade, leaving some pitting. There is also a chunk out of the underside of the top horn. The handle is a little inelegant for my tastes in the sense that it is heavy, but it is nicely elongated at the bottom and has a certain je ne sais quoi. (This is like talking fashion at a technical conference). Anyway the question is:- When did S&J start and finish their no. 26 line as, along with the split nuts, this should be able to ascribe a broad date to it. I know that there are S&J afficionados out there and any further narrowing down of the date would be appreciated. Fred Just the two pictures this time and no gallery.
Hi Fred, I've been meaning to try and get some sort of chronology established for Spear & Jackson, sorry, I don't know when they started making the #26, I would hazard a wild guess at early 1900's but I really should get serious and try to do some sort of a type study on S&J... I can however, add that the 1915 catalog shows that the 26 Bright steel back was replaced by the Leapfrog #46 26 Blued steel back was replaced by the Leapfrog #49 26A Brass back was replaced by the Leapfrog #52 The John Cockerill 26E range was replaced by the 55.56,57 models I think pre 1915 for your saw is likely. They are still one of the best of the Sheffield saw makers, in my opinion, not just for making fine saws, but for sheer consistency of good saws throughout their long history. Always nice to see more Spear and Jackson's Regards Ray
Hi Fred & Ray, You have hit the nail on the head with this one, Spear & Jackson and the No26 series back saw. I am pretty sure today I got my first. I do not posses a Sp[ear & Jackson Catalog prior to 1920, so I am going to have to keep checking. In both the 1923 & the 1930 cat it lists the 260 as Bright Back ( I am guessing Iron) & the 266 as the brass back. I am reading this as the model 26. I do not have another cat with the model listed. I am sure some one out there will be able to fill in some of the gaps, lets hope they find this post of yours Fred sooner than I did. I will include a picture of the saw I received today, I am not 100 % thats its a 26 but the Extra London Spring Steel seems to only be used in the top line saws, the one thing for certain I can read on the plate is the London Spring reference. I have a few good pictures of Etches etc for the No26, these are not owned by me, previous for sales on ebay, more than happy to put them up if there is anyone who would like me too. All the best for now Steve