B & J Wilcock

[DannyEssex]

Hi guys

I was hoping someone could shed a little light on a Hand saw I have. I have looked online, mainly Google and Backsaw.net but have drawn a blank. It is made by B & J Wilcock. I am assuming it is a modern saw because its in good condition, but I cannot find any similar saws online. I did find a reference on the backsaw.net, but didn't give a date when they stopped making saws.

I will give it a gentle clean and re-sharpen it. It is currently 10 TPI. I was hoping you would have some idea about it, or Is there a way I can get a rough idea its age by the handle?

Cheers
Danny

 

[bugbear]

Good photos!

I'd guess early 70s from the handle design.

BugBear

 

[DannyEssex]

Cheers BB

I knew you would know :lol: It was a bit hard getting a clear image of the etch with my mobile. Thanks again

 

[Cheshirechappie]

After googling 'B & J Wilcock, Sheffield', an entry appeared that showed the firm listed in White's Directory of 1851, in Nursery Lane. Further googling of 'White's Directory, Sheffield', showed the firm still listed in Nursery Lane in 1901. I don't know when the firm was founded or the time of it's demise.

Etching was introduced in the late 1840s, replacing incised stamping of blades. So the blade of your saw is post-1850, at least. The general style and reference to 'cast steel' suggests pre-WW2, maybe pre-WW1. The general patination of the blade is consistent with an older example.

I think the blade is older than the handle. The shape of the 'lambs tongue' on the handle is crude, so I think it's a home-made replacement, modelled on a 1950s/1960s handle. The slotted saw-screws are also post 1920, so I suspect they may be replacements as well.

I stand to be corrected, but I think the blade is pre-WW1, with handle and screws replaced by a user post WW2.

Edit to add - I think I've been corrected - see below!

 

[DannyEssex]

Wow that's interesting, thank you

 

[Cheshirechappie]

A bit more googling shows them listed in White's Directory for 1911, but they'd moved to Wicker Lane.

So far, I haven't managed to access any post WW1 directories, so don't know if they were still going in the 1920s or later.

 

[AndyT]

I think the firm may have been established at the Bolton Saw Works in 1851... at least, that's what it says on the etch!

 

[Cheshirechappie]

I think the firm may have been established at the Bolton Saw Works in 1851... at least, that's what it says on the etch!

Good spot - and White's were bang up to date too!

 

[carlb40]

A bit more googling shows them listed in White's Directory for 1911, but they'd moved to Wicker Lane.

So far, I haven't managed to access any post WW1 directories, so don't know if they were still going in the 1920s or later.

There is this from the archives, seems to point to them still around in the 1950s?

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/ ... -wil&cid=0

 

[Cheshirechappie]

A bit more googling shows them listed in White's Directory for 1911, but they'd moved to Wicker Lane.

So far, I haven't managed to access any post WW1 directories, so don't know if they were still going in the 1920s or later.

There is this from the archives, seems to point to them still around in the 1950s?

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/ ... -wil&cid=0

Good one, Carl.

They were a small but long-lived firm, by the looks of it.

That evidence could mean that blade and handle are contemporaneous - though the style of etch is dated for 1950s.

 

[carlb40]

That was found just by adding saw to the makers name. Adding handsaw to the name during a search just brings up a tool list for a dealer in the usa selling their tenon saws.

 

[DannyEssex]

Thanks for all your help guys,