Two Crownshaw Chapmans

I have had the handsaw for sometime now, but I have been loth to put it on the site as it is about as far removed from a backsaw as it is possible to be. Also there is very little of identification value to the image, as the etch on the blade is so worn that it is impossible to photograph. It is only just possible to make it out in the right light and viewing at the right angle.

However, when I got the backsaw it was the perfect excuse to put the handsaw on with it. The impressed mark on the backsaw is a little indistinct, but the word \"Crownshaw\" is in an arch over the words \"Chapman & Co\". In fact looking at it more carefully, it is not wear that has made it indistinct, it looks as though it was a poor pressing in the first place. Being a steel backed saw it may not have been one of their premium ranges and a little carelessness crept in?

http://www.backsaw.net/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=48

I have both Googled and Ebayed Crownshaw Chapman but there is very little to be found about the maker and no images that I have been able to access. I did find that on another website Ray mentioned that he had one. Any chance of an image of it to compare to mine Ray??

When you look at the handle on this saw the medallion fitting (it is a standard \"Warranted Superior\" one) is different to the other two nuts, which look to me like they might be later replacements. Also I find it curious that the trademark of a sawmaker is a spanner but perhaps saws were a secondary line?

Hope the pictures are of some interest.

Fred

 

I noticed this same spanner (wrench) trademark in "Trademarks on Base-Metal Tableware"
http://www.sha.org/research_resources/documents/Trademarks on Base-Metal Tableware.pdf

It's listed as belonging to "Wright, Bindley & Gell" producers of "cutlery of all kinds"

What this means for your Crownshaw Chapman backsaw, I have no idea

 

Hi Kiwi,

Thanks for the pointer. Some poet or other said "everything come to he who (stands and) waits". I am not sure that I agree with it, but in this instance it has paid off. I think that I have a date to within 5 years for the saw. And it is in HSMOB staring me in the face.

In the "trademarks on base metals" Wright Bindley and Gell date from 1880 to 1919. In HSMOB Crownshaw Chapman goes from 1879 to 1911 BUT in HSMOB Wright etc. goes from 1910 to 1915 and there is a specific reference within this last time period to the company being "formerly Crownshaw Chapman".

So, it looks like Crownshaw as an independent firm lasted from 1879 to 1911 (ish) with them becoming part of Wright etc. from 1910 to 1915. I assume the line then may have been discontinued although the parent company looks as though it went on trading until 1919.

My saw looks like it is 1910/11 to 1915. Wonderful if my reasoning stands up.
I therefore seem to have a "proper" Crownshaw Chapman handsaw and a Wright etc. Crownshaw Chapman backsaw. This is interesting as I thought when I put them on the topic, the handsaw looked a later/newer saw than the backsaw. (I must look again at the handsaw mark to see if there is anything else there). If it is later it cannot be that much later.

Thanks again,
Fred