I was out bargain hunting today and captured a backsaw and several interesting nibbed/splitnut/lambstongue handsaws, (The job lot was only $2, but driving around for a couple of hundred kilometers was more expensive)

The 14 inch backsaw is a Barber & Genn, that has suffered some serious elder abuse. I'll clean it up a bit to slow the disintegration, (when I get a round toit ), but its current dilapidated state is pictured below
It has a brass back with the namestamp "Barber & Genn" over "Cast-Steel" (incuse stamp ? ), and the handle is fixed with two rivets (one brass that may be original, and another steel that looks to be a replacement). The handhole is only 2 1/2 inches deep, so a three finger grip fits snugly
HSMOB gives a 1787-1817 origin, but Barber & Genn saws seem to appear in such quantity that there have been suggestions that the trade name was adopted by some later manufacturer.

What age do you think she is ? Does Fred's Law apply ? Would metallurgical analysis of the steel (or brass) composition and grain structure define its age ?

Attached Thumbnails