Object number
66/207/1-2
Description
A pit saw handle consisting of a wooden block with two handles on the ends and one other hooked handle made of a natural crooked branch. There was probably at one time another handle like this in the block. There is an iron plate along the bottom, but the wedge for holding the handle in place is missing. This handle came from a pit saw which had been adapted to use for felling, and the multiple handles meant that the saw could be pulled by several men. It was found at the offices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Chichester, West Sussex.
Physical description
1 saw: metal, wood
Archival history
MERL ‘Handwritten Accession’ (Institute of Agricultural History) – ‘Standard museum name: PIT SAW HANDLE // Accession number: 66/207/1–2 // Classification: CRAFTS Wood // … // Recorder: J.M.B. // Date: 1.10.84 // Description: This handle consists of a wooden block with two handles on the ends and one other hooked handle made of a natural crooked branch. There was probably at one time another handle like this in the block. There is an iron plate along the bottom. The wedge for holding the handle in place is missing // Dimensions: Length: 28.0 cm. Width: 4.5 cm // Associated information: Pit saws were often adapted for cross-cutting and felling. This is an example of a home made ‘felling box’ made for the toe end of a pit saw. The several handles meant that the saw could be pulled by more than one man sometimes by means of a rope. // See also 52/44. // References: MERL LIBRARY 5850 ‘Dictionary of Tools’ by R. A. Salaman p415 section (c)’
Object name
Material
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_8856.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_8857.tif - High resolution image
