The mysterious "hb" wrote to oldtools:

>Been a lurker for a while, especially after I
>erroneously started down the path to NORM-dom....I've
>since been enlightened, and fortunately it happened
>before I dumped a bunch of cash...

Welcome to oldtools!

(snip)

>The saw is marked Thos. Tillotson & Co. on the blade
>and it is 7 or 8 ppi filed for rip cut.  It appeares
>that the saw has seen very little use. The saw is odd,
>I think, because there is no medallion(just four dome
>nuts with one side's domes being slotted and the other
>side's domes being plain), but is in fine shape with a
>tight original handle (although it has a crack
>visible) and the blade is mostly black, very little
>corrosion.  The decorative nib is even still there. 
>Did I win the Newbie lottery?  I did learn that
>Tillotson was around in the early part of the 1800's,
>but could find nothing else.  I also learned that VERY
>OLD saws sometimes didn't have a medallion. 

T. Tillotson is mentioned by Kenneth Roberts as a "merchant & dealer"  in 
Sheffield, England, between 1837 & 1856.  He sold plated braces, among other 
tools, that Roberts considered, "purchased for resale."  I've seen chisels 
with his mark.  I doubt that the saw has any great value as the number of 
Tillotson collectors is probably low or non-existent.  But use the saw.  
Sharpen it up and it will be a good rip saw, most likely.

Best regards,
Sandy

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