Tom McCluskey wrote:

>Found a different kind of saw in the land where there are no trees.
>
>This is an old nibbed saw.  Etching on the blade reads as follows:

>
>           SPEAR & JACKSON   (arched over a crown)
>
>            (small picture
>              of a crown)
>
>            S (5 arm Maltese Cross) J
>               SHEFFIELD
>         CAST STEEL WARRANTED
>        PATENT  NO.24  MACHINE
>                GROUND
>
>Blade has some surface rust.  Handle is missing upper horn and is
>attached by four split nuts (including medallion).  Medallion is similar
>to blade etching up to the word "Sheffield."
>
>Any info is appreciated.

Tom,

What you have seems to be a S&J#24,, " the leading all-round carpenter's
hand saw"  (to quote from the entry in the S&J section of the Astragal
Press's Handsaw catalog Collection.

The #24 in the book is shown with the logo of S&J's "Leapfrog Brand" but
the logo you describe is also shown on the catalogue cover.  The Leapfrog
trademark is listed as a " New Trademark " along with the "Mermaid brand".
The catalogue dates from 1915, so your #24 is possibly earlier when the 5
point star may have been used, but I only surmise, whereas Erv on the other
hand will probably know that answer.

Available in lengths from 16 - 40", in assorted points per inch.  Should be
English beech handled (the English is underlined : so whats the matter with
US beech?), straight backed with a nib, but the nibs seem to have been
dropped somewhere along the line.

Made of "Best Warranted Cast Steel" which judging by the prices was
considered a lower quality than Silver Steel / Warranted London Spring
steel, which was in turn consideredof lesser quality than Vanadium Alloy
steel  (at least that was the thinking in 1915).

We seem to see equal numbers of S&J and Disston in this part of the world.
Both work fine IMHO  ;-)

Regards,

Tony B

Hobart Tasmania