Frank Filippone wrote:"I have been looking at images of Stair Saws on that
auction site and
from Google....most if the old ones have the blade installed 
so that the tool is obviously been used in the PULL configuration.
These seem to old enough that it reflects the say the workman used the 
tool...SO I ask the multitude, those with experience and those who own these 
tools..... Which way do the teeth face?"

Hi, Frank,
I have various reprint saw catalogs. The Disston 1914 cut of a stair saw is tiny
and hard to interpret because the teeth have very little rake, but under
magnification I have no doubt that they are oriented for a push cut. The Disston
1918 and Atkins 1919 are even smaller, but also seem to be arranged for a push
cut.
To Kirk's comment that the handle of his seems designed for a push stroke, I
would add the observation that the blade of mine is very thick, even thicker
than the blade of a compass or keyhole saw if my memory is correct.  There is no
reason for a saw designed to pull to have a thick blade, and every reason for it
not to.
I have no doubt that staircase saws were intended for use in pushing. I would
guess that any staircase saws encountered with their blades installed for a pull
cut, have had their blades reversed by a later user, probably someone so warped
by using Japanese saws that they don't realize that some saws are used to push.
Tom Conroy
(Air Quality Index in Berkeley is 106, and predicted to be over 55 throgh Sunday
at least. The first day of the fires the skies were gorgeous colors of red and
orange, but that was weeks ago and the gloom and difficulty in breathing is
getting pretty tiresome.   t.)