GGs,

A long flat package was on my desk when I got home, and the kids all
informed me that I had another saw. Guess they've seen a few of these
arrive in the mail or something.

Anyway, it's an S. Biggin & Sons, Sheffield. This page dates it to 1852--
1856, that being the year of the & Sons appendage:

http://www.backsaw.net/index.php?option=com_jfusion&Itemid=58&jfile=s-
howthread.php&t At only 18" long, it's the shortest 10 pt crosscut
that I have, so I can claim that I needed it. Except that the saw till
is full and I've started putting saws on a shelf by my other bench.
But I digress.

Can anyone help decipher the stamps on the blade?

Saw:

http://maxwells.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Tools/i-K6TZ7tj/0/L/IMG3933-L.jpg

Medallion:

http://maxwells.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Tools/i-gRXwdbX/0/L/IMG3941-L.jpg

Secondary stamp:

http://maxwells.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Tools/i-xLhFtBR/0/L/IMG3938-L.jpg

For Ease In Use ???????ED

Primary stamp:

http://maxwells.smugmug.com/Hobbies/Tools/i-74sjBHm/0/L/IMG3953-L.jpg

       BIGGIN & SONS  S.B. ??RICA WORKS WARRANTED Sheffield
       SPRING STEEL

           GAUGED

Quite the advertisement! Does "gauged" mean "tapered?" The saw is taper
ground, about 0.010" thinner on the back than the toothline.

Anyway, I bought it because I liked the tote and medallion. It's
straight other than a minor kink at the toe, and is breasted. There is
no major pitting, but still has some surface rust after a light cleaning
with WD-40 and 600 wet-or-dry. It looks worse in the photos

Adam Port Angeles, WA

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Tony,

On Jun 11, 2012, at 21:55 , dynnyrne@n... wrote:

> Seems that "RICA WORKS" is a bad strike of "AMERICA WORKS"
> 
> see
> 
> http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/early-biggin-son-handsaw-133006562 

Ah, that's excellent, thanks!  I should have done a bit more
searching :).

After another round of cleaning with 600 grit, the other
stamp is more clear, and appears to read

For Ease In
   use
 ?????ED

http://smu.gs/LWXQGC

Gauged (as it says elsewhere)?  Tempered?  Tapered?  Smurfed?

Adam

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The font is different between "For ease in use" and ~ED, so my guess is
'WARRANTED'
On Jun 12, 2012 8:26 AM, "Adam R. Maxwell"  wrote:

> Hi Tony,
>
> On Jun 11, 2012, at 21:55 , dynnyrne@n... wrote:
>
> > Seems that "RICA WORKS" is a bad strike of "AMERICA WORKS"
> >
> > see
> >
> > http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/early-biggin-son-handsaw-133006562
>
> Ah, that's excellent, thanks!  I should have done a bit more
> searching :).
>
> After another round of cleaning with 600 grit, the other
> stamp is more clear, and appears to read
>
> For Ease In
>   use
>  ?????ED
>
> http://smu.gs/LWXQGC
>
> Gauged (as it says elsewhere)?  Tempered?  Tapered?  Smurfed?
>
> Adam
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> To read the FAQ:
> http://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
>
> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/
>
> OldTools@r...
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Smurfed. Definitely Smurfed. Or more likely tapered.
--
Zachary Dillinger
The Eaton County Joinery
www.theeatoncountyjoinery.com
517-231-3374

On Tue, Jun 12, 2012 at 11:25 AM, Adam R. Maxwell  wrote:
> Hi Tony,
>
> On Jun 11, 2012, at 21:55 , dynnyrne@n... wrote:
>
>> Seems that "RICA WORKS" is a bad strike of "AMERICA WORKS"
>>
>> see
>>
>> http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/early-biggin-son-handsaw-133006562
>
> Ah, that's excellent, thanks! =A0I should have done a bit more
> searching :).
>
> After another round of cleaning with 600 grit, the other
> stamp is more clear, and appears to read
>
> For Ease In
> =A0 use
> =A0?????ED
>
> http://smu.gs/LWXQGC
>
> Gauged (as it says elsewhere)? =A0Tempered? =A0Tapered? =A0Smurfed?
>
> Adam
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> To read the FAQ:
> http://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
>
> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/
>
> OldTools@r...
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Adam

Seems that "RICA WORKS" is a bad strike of "AMERICA WORKS"

see

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/early-biggin-son-handsaw-133006562


for the source of that bit of surmising.

Regards,

Tony B Hobart, Tasmania

----- Original Message ----- From: "Adam R. Maxwell" To:"oldtools porch"
Cc:Sent:Mon, 11 Jun 2012 19:30:26 -0700 Subject:[OldTools] new saw (S.
   Biggin & Sons)

 BIGGIN & SONS

 S.B. ??RICA WORKS WARRANTED Sheffield SPRING STEEL


------------------------------------------------------------------------