I have recently acquired a rather battered old saw which I cannot find on your index, although I suspect it is closely related to S.S. Brittain. The trade mark is as follows. T. Brittain is in the centre in an arc. On either side of the arc and level with the bottom of it is a crown. There is also a crown above the arc at its apex. At the left side of the arc and underneath the left crown is the word \"improved\". at the right side of the arc and underneath the right crown is what looks like the words \"feplus ultra\". Underneath the arc and in the centre of it is the word \"Sheffield\" , and underneath that is the image of a Swan. Sorry to have to describe it but the image is so worn that it is not easy to photograph. The saw is 26 inches along its cutting edge, has 5 teeth per inch and tapers from 7 inches deep at the handle to 2 inches. It has a closed handle. Has anyone any ideas as to the approximate date and genealogy of this saw. I am new to the world of saws so please keep replies not too complex. `
Hey Fred Welcome aboard ... the saw probably is marked \"F\" Brittian who\'s saws are marked as you have described. I have a few back saws and he has been a favourite maker of mine because of his not so traditional fancy medallions. Love to see a pic of the saw if you can do it. Ray would probably be able to give you more history of the company and how it was related to Samuel Swan, Britain and Co who were around from about 1840-1900. Frederick was there from about 1865-1884 as per Schaffer and McConnell. Cheers Joe Steiner
Despite being of an age and a nature that is of the opinion that if something cannot be mended with a hammer then it is not worth having, I have managed (after a lot of grief and mental anguish) to take some pictures with my digital camera and to upload them. They have come out not too badly at all and say a lot more about my Brittain saw than I ever could. They are in the gallery under \"Brittain saw\". I hope that you can get something from them and thanks for your interest. Fred.
Hey Fred Great job and thank you for taking the effort even though there was a \"lot of grief and mental anguish\". It is a very nice saw and I am sure it would be a treasure in anyone\'s collection. You were right about the \"T\" because it sure looks like one even in the pics. I honestly don\'t know if there was any other of the Brittains marking the saws with a T. Since you took the time to post the pics I feel obligated to include pictures of two 14\" back saws by F Brittian in the gallery also. Both have closed beech handles, one brass back and the other steel. As on your saw both of them sport that unique fancy medallion with all of them being different. I have no SS Brittain saws to suggest they put that medallion on their saws also which I hope someone who has one, might enlighten us. The etching and stamps are so similar to your saw esp. with the \"NE PLUS ULTRA\" mark. Hope all this helps. regards Joe S.
Hello Joe, Thanks for the pictures. My saw is certainly very similar in markings to yours in everything except the initial letter. I have had another good look at it and to me it looks like the top left-hand bar of the \"T\" is slightly shorter than the right hand one. This could indicate that it is indeed the top of an \"F\", with the impression of the lower bar in the F failing to take. This is still a supposition only and I hope that someone can eventually clarify it. Thanks Fred.
Just a quick one. On the handsaw there are the words that I thought formed Feplus ultra, and which I wrongly assumed to refer to the quality of iron/steel in the saw and with a common English interpretation of \"Iron+ Ultra\" It took a political cartoon to introduce me to to the Latin \"neplus ultra\" of which one of the meanings is \"furthest point attained or attainable\" and which is still in the same vein as my first interpretation. (My dictionary says that this was supposedly inscribed on the Pillars of Hercules.) I think that this episode says more about the ignorance of a 21st century saw collector when compared to the knowledge of a 19th century saw manufacturer than anything else. And possibly 19th century saw users as well, as why put it on if no-one understands it? We are perhaps not as educated as we think. Also apologies to Joe for not looking at his saw photos properly. One of his maker\'s marks does not use the phrase but one clearly does. A bit of silliness on a quiet Sunday morning. Fred.
Hi Fred, I suspect that F Brittains use of the motto \"ne plus ultra\" derives from a time when Latin was more commonly taught than it is today. I heard of a language professor recently who talks to his dog in Latin, and what\'s more the dog understands it... Back to Frederick Brittain, and referring to Simon Barley\'s list, I see that F Brittain purchased SS Britain & Co in 1868. So the following the Brittain name, we have 1833-1837 Brittain Hoole and Co. 1841-1864 Brittain SS and Co. (St George\'s Works) (Samuel Swann) 1864-1868 Brittain Frederick 102 Wellington Street -- purchased SS Brittain in 1868 1876-1887 Brittain Frederick (St George\'s Works) 1876 Brittain C E John Street Canterbury works. 1879 Brittain Alfred Arundel St Arundel Buildings I\'ts a little unclear, but it would seem that Frederick started up seperately, (going by the address) of course he may or may not be related to SS, (there are any number of Brittain\'s listed in the census data, although most of them seem to be butchers and grocers.) and then later in 1868 purchased SS Brittain. SS Brittain, is Samuel Swan Brittain listed in the 1833 White\'s directory, the name SS Brittain appears to have been retained and is still there in the 1919 trade directories. Also, there are a few butchers listed with the name Frederick Swann Brittain, and given the Victorian habit of retaining family names over subsequent generations, I suspect that Frederick Brittain was a relative of some sort to Samuel Swann Brittain. Although I can\'t find the census records to support this. Regards Ray
Hi All, Please find another F Brittain, ( sadly not mine) What I find interesting about this saw is the eccentric nature of the maker. It is clearly stamped, and has the most beutiful medallion I've seen, it also has a nib and split nuts. Yet was manufactured well into the later part of the 19C. Well after the etching process became common. I'm guessing they were trying to live up to their moto.
Lui, A lovely saw with, as you say a wonderful medallion. A lot better than mine. I am envious. Also the "F" is complete and clear. A very nice acquisition. Please see your private messages from me. Fred
Hi Fred, Lui, I will post a copy of this saw in another thread, there was a recent discussion on woodnet regarding what could be a late-stamped Kenyon. http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbth...&Number=5151755&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o= That medallion is beautiful. Regards Ray