> As to the saw, I would enjoy looking at it.  From what I can tell, I
> doubt the handle is Apple.  I can imagine a couple of rays near the
top
> horn which would make it beech.  English beech is much more dense
and
> does not have as open a grain pattern as American Beech.  I'd be
willing
> to bet that handle is beech.  If Bruce would like to send it to me
or
> someone else to take a close look at, we could put that speculation
to
> rest.  As I mentioned before, I'm sure that saw is British.  If it
is, I
> think all might agree it would be unlikely for Henry to worry about
a
> small time Sheffield maker 4000 miles away.
>

Oh geez...the Apple probably is wrong.  I am pretty crappy with
identifying wood.  Remember that when I first got this saw I
incorrectly thought it was a Disston(Jackson) (give me a break, I
bought it in a hurry with another saw during my lunch hour).
Because I was thinking Disston(Jackson), I assumed apple handle
(because it was open handled I also questioned whether the handle
was original - but I can say with some certainty that no one else
had taken the saw nuts and handle off in a while - DAMHIK).  Later,
when I realized it said 'Jackson & Co' I never bothered rethinking
my initial assumption about the wood.  When I got my Disston #4
backsaw (the eagle medallion one that I was little too excited
over) and I hung it next to this saw - I thought this handle
seemed a little "lighter" in color - but again, never reconsidered.

I have to admit that I was also thinking British...(part of the reason
I posted the pictures yesterday).  My initial question really had to
do with learning how one goes about ID'ing a tool of this sort (and
it was the one example I had).  I wasn't assuming this saw had any
relation to Disston (although I enjoyed the discussion that it
prompted) - I just wanted to learn how one would go about determining
anything one could about the history of the saw.

You guys have already taught me a lot (including how much is
actually not known).  Use of Apple primarily in the US is something
I didn't think about - and that is the sort of clue I would like to
learn more about (guess it just takes time).  Sorry for that
confusion... (and sorry, Henry D, for putting you through this...
go back to cutting dovetails on that big workbench in the sky).

Bruce Love
(who thinks maybe he should grovel and clean some spittons on the
porch for a while now...)