Object number
58/57/1-5
Description
Also known as a 'frame saw', 'sweep saw' or 'web saw'. Made circa 1838 by Mr Passingham, a wheelwright of Longford, Middlesex.
The bow saw is a wheelwrighting tool used to cut the felloes to make wagon and cart wheels. It has a blade which can be adjusted to the angle of the cut desired, and is also known as the 'frame saw', 'sweep saw' or 'web saw'. The frame of this bow saw was made circa 1838 by an apprentice to Mr Passingham, a farrier, blacksmith and wheelwright of Longford, Middlesex. It was used by the apprentice at Longford, and at the premises of George Nixey, a wheelwrighting firm in Slough. There are four machine-made saw blades with the saw.
Physical description
1 bow saw with spare blades: wood; metal; good condition
Archival history
Letter, Edward Flaxman to MERL, 3 April 1958 – ‘I have in my possession a few old wheelwrights’ tools as under:– // 2 handmade cramps & brace with handmade drills; 1 handmade vice; 1 handmade bow saw frame and saws. // These were given to my father (now 84) in his youth by an old wheelwright who was then over 80 & who had made them when he was an apprentice. This was in the village of Farnham Common (Bucks)... Yours faithfully, Edward Flaxman’
Production place
Longford
Production date
1830 - 1839
Production period
1830s
Object name
Material
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_2340.tif - High resolution image
