Object number
51/426
Description
Nothing is known about where this pit saw came from. It would have been used by two men holding the saw vertically between them, one standing at the top and one at the bottom of a saw pit. Such saws were in very common use for sawing trees into planks until the introduction of machine driven saws.
Physical description
1 pit saw: wood and metal; fair condition, one small handle is missing.
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'Nothing is known about the origin of this pit saw. It would have been used by two men holding the saw vertically between them, one standing at the top and one at the bottom of a saw pit. Such saws were in very common use for sawing trees into planks until the introduction of machine driven saws. // This saw measures 7 ft. 2 ins. including the handles. The blade measures 5 ft. 7 ins. In length, and tapers from 6 inches to 1.5 inches in width. The top handle or TILLER is made in the shape of a T, with a wooden cross bar and metal shaft. This shaft widens at the end and splits into two parts. The top of the saw fits between these slits and is fastened there by an iron bolt which passes at right angles through the three layers. Another iron bolt goes through the end of the former bolt at right angles and holds it in place. The lower handle or BOX consists of a round wooden block with two handles projecting on either side of it. The bottom of the saw fits into a deep slit in this and is held there by a wooden wedge which passes through the centre of the block and lies against the end of the saw. Part of the wooden section of the top handle is missing. See also 52/93'
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Material
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\35 series negatives\Scans\35_514.tif - High resolution image
