Thread: A new little saw

Nice little saw, MA.
Looks heaps better in its original state. Wonder why one would paint the handle?

I agree AB. Nice to hear from you again.

MA

The No.46 with the bright steel back appeared as early as 1915 in the "Leapfrog" brand. and the 1923 catalogue is identical. In those catalogues it was described as the most popular among carpenters (I interpret that as being best value for money). The last catalogue I have in which it appeared is 1930, but that does not mean your saw was not from a later time. However, it did not feature in a 1961 catalogue.

There are two small anomalies. In 1930 the handle featured a lambs tongue (shown in Graham's earlier post of two catalogues. I think he uses the reference as me .) The catalogues mentioned all depict a closed handle with three saw screws and mention that the 8" and 10" sizes have an open handle. What length is your saw and does it have an indication of the "leapfrog" to the left of the stamp on the back? Your saw has two saw screws, which I would expect on a shorter saw, but it has a closed handle.

Regards
Paul

Hi Paul. 10" blade with Spearior as part of the etch and "Spearior" (with quotation marks) on the handle (but very faint now). Lambs tongue would have been nice! I will check for the leapfrog, will it be on the steel back?

MA

The "leapfrog" would have been on the steel back, but I have since found a 1939 catalogue. The No.46 there had the "nonbrake" handle (timber dowel inserted lengthways through the grip) and no mention of Spearior, which I did not realise was present on your saw . Interestingly, in the larger sizes >10" there was a fourth, small screw into the spine which probably did not go all the way through. It was unlikely that too much revision of the range occurred during WW2 as the poms were a little pre-occupied, so that would put your saw between 1945 and 1961. Mid fifties is looking likely.

The two saw screws fits in with the shorter blade, but it looks like the open handle had been discontinued.

Regards
Paul

Hi Paul. Stuck inside waiting for the NBN man so googled a little (thank goodness for mobile data)!! I don't have the leapfrog stamp and I dont have the dowel. But I did see that S + J had a "Sovereign" model with only 2 screws and a medallion like mine. The seller (Worthpoint) described it as pre leapfrog.

Originally Posted by Mountain Ash

Hi Paul. Stuck inside waiting for the NBN man so googled a little (thank goodness for mobile data)!! I don't have the leapfrog stamp and I dont have the dowel. But I did see that S + J had a "Sovereign" model with only 2 screws and a medallion like mine. The seller (Worthpoint) described it as pre leapfrog.

MA

Not sure about Sovereign. The first mention I can see of that name is in the 1961 catalogue. We have to remember that S & J held a similar position in the UK market place to Disston in the US. They ran several grades of saw at the same time. "Mermaid" was the top line and I think "Leapfrog" was the next cab off the rank. "Lloyd Davies" and "John Cockerill" were two more lines. your saw definitely has No.46 on the plate so I think the two saw screws (correct to my mind for a smaller saw) was just a later version that now had a closed handle.

I would still bet on mid fifties, but not prepared to lay down body parts.

Regards
Paul

This may come as a surprise to some but only yesterday did I have a good look at the backsaw.net website. I have signed up but still awaiting approval. Saw some familiar names there (IanW, derekcohen and pmcgee). I must be in good company

Yes, all thanks to our fellow forumite RayG! 'Tis a very handy site, and it must've taken Ray a lot of effort to build & maintain. He used to be a more consistent contributor here in 'hand tools', but seems to have drifted off into heavy metal-work these last few years, so that & the Backsaw site keeps him out of mischief pretty well.

Cheers,