Galoots, and Sawnuts in particular,

Some may remember I posted a multiple query regarding a few saws nearly two weeks ago.  Several Galoots responded on or off-list, and I thank them all.  Scott Grandstaff has been particularly helpful (more on that in a moment) with the broken tote problem with my grandfather's Disston No. 12, but before I get into that, I will acknowledge a good piece of off-list advice received from Steve Lineback: a tote from another saw may not fit, even if it is the same model and appears identical. 

Some confirmation, Steve:  Scott not only sent a mended tote from a No. 12, but the tote he sent is a near perfect match for the one I already had.  However, the holes for the saw screws & medallion are not drilled in the same places.  The two top screws would nearly line up, but the medallion and bottom screw are as much as ¼" out of position.  Very interesting, as I would have thought Disston was using jigs to drill and mount their totes, but this suggests otherwise.  Nevertheless, on to something else that may be just as interesting for some...  (At this point several comments on the list resulted in another article, analyzing the production process of handles at Disston.  You can read it here.  WK)

Scott also sent a nice slab of spalted apple.  Now, when he first suggested it, I was thinking he was sending enough for a splice-on repair.  What arrived was much larger - perfectly sized for an all-new tote.  And that is where I've gone.

The saw was found in my grandfather's / uncles' old barn workshop, missing two sawscrews, and a third was an obvious substitute from a smaller saw.  One of those missing is the medallion.  My small stash of sawscrews includes only two of the proper diameter - 15/16", but they happen to be for Spear & Jackson or Richardson saws.  Nothing suitable on my donor saws either.  I figure this saw was one of a number of tools almost certainly bought by my grandfather when he was starting out to learn cabinetmaking, along with a number of other professional grade tools I salvaged.

It is too good, and too expensive a saw to have been bought for use in farm carpentry.  As the Millers Falls items all dated from 1900-1920, my best guess is that this saw came with a 1896-1917 medallion, and that's what I'm hoping to find.  So, this is also a WTT plea for some assistance if you are able.

The saw in its as found condition is shown here:

The subject of the following photo essay was the third saw handle I had attempted.  The first try looked good, but cutting the slot for the backsaw's spine and blade didn't go well and the handle never fit tightly enough on the very early Disston & Son's saw shown here. Someday I'll resolve that problem.