Older Brown No. 3 Handsaw

**schuld66** · 10th July 2019, 03:17 AM

Yet another project I picked up a while ago. It's a Brown No. 3 with nib, 28", looks like 5 1/2 ppi.

The lamb's tongue handle is being glued right now. There was a break in the handle at some point and a previous owner drilled a hole all the way through the grip from top to bottom, drove a 1/4" rod through it, placed a washer on each end, and mushroomed the ends. It was a solid fix, but a bit unsightly. I never did get all of the rod out of one side (and of course managed to break the handle a bit more), but enough so that it doesn't stick out the ends anymore. I left a recess on each end deep enough to fill. Any thoughts on a good wood filler brand?

I researched Brown some and found out it was one of the many companies Disston bought out. I'm curious if this saw is pre-Disston acquisition. I would guess the keystone around the "3" would suggest post-acquisition?

It had all 3 what appear to original split nuts, but no medallion. From what I have read, it probably had a WS 1" recessed split nut medallion -- one of those shouldn't be too hard to find

Regards,
Dave

IMG_1657.jpg

IMG_1658.jpg

IMG_1659.jpg

IMG_1660.jpg

IMG_1661.jpg

IMG_1662.jpg

**orraloon** · 10th July 2019, 12:00 PM

I have never heard of Brown saws. Were they part of the Disston company. I notice the center of the etch is similar to the center of the Disston medalion.
Regards
John

**schuld66** · 10th July 2019, 12:21 PM

John,
I was able to find this thread from 2001 on Old Tools Archive:

OldTools Archive

The link to photos is no longer working, though, so no pics.

Regards,
Dave

**Bushmiller** · 10th July 2019, 06:47 PM

Dave

I am afraid my Disston knowledge is a little shaky, but that's only on a good day.

I don't think Disston bought up a company called Brown. Disston acquired at least nineteen sawmakers between 1857 and 1901, but none that were named Brown. The Brown No.3 saw was the top of their budget range. I don't know when it was introduced nor really when it ceased production. I think it emerged in the 1870s and was gone by the Disston rationalisation in 1928 being replaced by the Keystone saw range. To give some idea of where the Brown No.3 sat in the hierarchy, it was priced at $13.50, the C.Bishop No.1 was $12.00, T.Taylor No.0 $10.00 and Jackson N.00 $8.00: These prices were all for a dozen 26" handsaws in 1918. By way of comparison at the same time the D115 was $36.00 and the No.7 $20.00.

Your saw could still be quite old: Pre-1900 quite easily. However this is where my knowledge lets me down and without a medallion, which was probably a Warranted Superior with a Keystone symbol, dating is difficult. Also I don't know where these names came from but it was quite common for saws to be named in this way. Perhaps there was somebody at the "works" it was named after: A small cherry thrown out for exceptional service, and probably in lieu of a pay rise!

This is some info on the Bishop No.1 saw and I list it as it was clearly in the same lineup:

It's a No.1, but not a Harley

Your saw looks to be in good condition. The Bishop I had had lost it's tension, but possibly as a lower range saw it might not have had much to begin with. Interestingly the medallion did not have the Keystone symbol so that throws open the range of medallions that may have been used.

Regards
Paul

Thread: Older Brown No. 3 Handsaw

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Older Brown No. 3 Handsaw

Similar Threads

Bunnings handsaw to rip red gum?

Best way to cut up a handsaw

Handsaw help

Handsaw identification please!

handsaw to scraper

Posting Permissions