Thread: Information on old saw maker "CJ Johnson Sheffield"

My guess is that your saw is made by Christopher Johnson, Howard street, Sheffield. The singular Johnson is listed as making saws in the year 1855. That is the working date from the book by Schaeffer and McConnell, Hand-Saw Makers of Britain.

The working date for a later firm called Christopher Johnson & Company, Sheffield, is 1879-1882.

If the Johnsons listed are the same firm, a larger manufacture date of 1855 to 1882 can be figured on. However, without knowing how either marked their saws, I do not know for certain. Don McConnell would be a good person to get in touch with for more specific information. He now works with Clark & Williams, the plane makers.

There are also a few other Johnsons in the book from Sheffield. For instance, the is a Johnson & Company with an earlier date that worked in Sheffield (1828-1829).

The handle in all likelihood is Beech. Handles were nearly all stained, and Beech darkens with age. Those above are not stained and will eventually darken. Plus the picture is rather washed out. The guy ought to learn to take better pictures.

Most times people try to find a saw in very poor shape and rob the bolts and nuts off of them for replacements. Problem with that for the split-nut type is they are often filed flush and over time the slots get pretty shallow.

There is a tutorial on Leif Hanson's web site for making one's own split nuts and bolts. It is the second item currently on his main web page:
http://www.norsewoodsmith.com/

Failing that, measurements of the bolt head and nut diameter would be helpful. I have bolts with 3 different head sizes (and corresponding split nuts)--which are 7/16", 1/2" and 9/16", all use the same size of the threaded portion. Failing interest in making your own (not hard), feel free to PM or email me.

Take care, Mike

Another suggested maker is from Erv and Don's book of Hand-saw Makers of Britain there's a listing for Cammell Johnson & Co. (Henry Johnson & Charles Cammell) which could be the maker, they were in business in Sheffield from 1839-1841.

I think we would need to find if Henry Johnson & Charles Cammell or Christopher Johnson, or Christopher Johnson & Company used a flag as their emblem on their saw's.

Either was it is valuable and at least 152 to 168 years old. So by the time I pass away it will be over 220 years old.

I saw Alan's post on the Old Tools list as well. He's wrong.

The Don McConnell on the Old Tools List who replied there is the same McConnell who co-authored the book I mentioned above. He's the person I would listen to. As well, I see on the OT list that he confirmed the maker's mark info.

Take care, Mike

Thanks Mike, I only get the digest and was not in last nights one - so I had to go look for Don McConnell answer.

It seems regardles that it was good to find a Christopher Johnson, Sheffield made saw made between 1852 - 1862.

Well, I saved this for the last--You Suck!

It is a nice find. Some of my favorite saws I have had and used for many, many years are from that time period.

Value is another thing altogether. Sometimes the old saws do decently well on a place like eBay. Usually it is the main makers, though, that bring the most and usually later period ones at that. But for users like yours, the older ones are hard to beat.

Take care, Mike

Originally Posted by MikeW

Well, I saved this for the last--You Suck!