old Preston Dovetail saw

[Yorkshire Sam]

picked up a very old dovetail saw at a car boot because it looked very old and interesting. Unfortunately who ever had it before had tried to take the handle off and broke the splits nuts ( I am assuming). You may recall I asked recently the forum where I might be able to buy some split nuts. None of the new split nuts were suitable or were across the pond and hence far too expensive.
I had been unable to find another saw to rob so I was a bit stuck until caroleb came to my rescue and was kind enough to send me a couple which were just the ticket.

The saw was a bit mucky and rusty when I got it and it took a bit of cleaning. After much thought I decided that I would just clean it up, get rid of the rust and fit the replacement nuts. I found while cleaning the handle that at some time in its life the handle had been repaired. Dont know when it was done but it was a fair job as it takes a bit of looking to see it, so I am assuming it was done while it was a working saw.

The blade is quite pitted but still cuts quite well...

I didnt want to do too much to it and lose all that patina but it really was quite manky and a lot of rust. I am so pleased with the results that I am considering about giving it a sharpening because after all its just a tool and the handle is so comfortable that I wish my own saws were as good. I have been told that its probably well over 100 years old but still dont know if Preston was the maker or (more likely) the original whole saler.

Any way once again my thanks to Caroleb for the nuts and hope you enjoy the before and after pictures.

 

[AndyT]

I have your saw's cousin!

I was puzzled at first but this George Preston was a retailer - your saw may have been made by Garlick like mine was.

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/the-lynx-effect-t62759.html

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Nice little saw, Sam - and a splendid clean-up!

Have you noticed that the 'hang' of the handle (the angle it makes to the blade) is lower than Andy's example - indeed, it's quite low as dovetail saws go. They seem to be generally about 45 degrees or even higher sometimes. Should still work just fine, though.

I've been trying to track down some dates for G.P.Preston, but no luck so far. (I now know the names and CVs of every G.P. in Preston, though...thanks Google.) Anybody know, out of interest?

 

[AndyT]

CC - for dates for George P Preston I reckon we're looking some time in the early 20th century, if Toolsntat's dad bought stuff from him. Have you tried the Sheffield Indexers site?

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Some progress.

There's a George P Preston listed in the 1871 Sheffield census, as a 5-year old. Ashley Iles' memoirs also mention the firm of G P Preston being active in 1948 in Devonshire Street, having risen from lowly beginnings; "G.P.Preston was run by George Preston, .... , a very tall, gaunt man with a shock of grey hair and a surly, overbearing attitude. ... He went bust some years later and creditors were paid about eight shillings in the pound. He paid my account just before it happened, so maybe he was a gentleman after all."

That all fits rather nicely with a late 19th / early 20th century start for the business.

 

[toolsntat]

CC - for dates for George P Preston I reckon we're looking some time in the early 20th century, if Toolsntat's dad bought stuff from him. Have you tried the Sheffield Indexers site?

A little clarification if I may......

It wern't me Dad :shock: :lol:

It was an old gaffer of a company I used to work for :wink:

Andy