Cheshirechappie
Established Member
That looks very much like an impressed stamp rather than an etch (which tended to be larger and elaborate, with lots of curly bits and flourishes). If it's got a medallion, that almost certainly dates it to between about 1825 and 1850. It's worn rather well for it's age!
The 'gunsight' at the toe end is called the 'nib', and is a very common feature of 19th century saws. There's been a long and sometimes acrimonious debate about it's purpose - theories such as the stub of a test piece for hardness, a device for starting a cut and a decorative element have been put forward. Truth is, nobody really knows, but 'decorative device' seems the most popular theory at the moment.
The vice has come up rather well, too. Pity the 'apprentice' in the background doesn't look more impressed!
The 'gunsight' at the toe end is called the 'nib', and is a very common feature of 19th century saws. There's been a long and sometimes acrimonious debate about it's purpose - theories such as the stub of a test piece for hardness, a device for starting a cut and a decorative element have been put forward. Truth is, nobody really knows, but 'decorative device' seems the most popular theory at the moment.
The vice has come up rather well, too. Pity the 'apprentice' in the background doesn't look more impressed!
