What is this?

[geekofbroadband]

What is this      

[mariok54]

Well, it is obviously a tenon saw .... but not an ordinary one. Over here in the UK vintage / antique tools can make money, but it all depends upon the quality and manufacturer. I can't quite make out that writing, any chance of a clearer pic?

And welcome!

[geekofbroadband]

The writting in the second picture says "Thackray Leeds"

[fancypants]

Your item appears to be a surgical saw , geekofbroadband .

Also very much looks like it came from Thackray Hospital , Leeds .

They've got a great museum & possibly you'll find one just like yours there !

Could you please post the length of the sawblade ?

[geekofbroadband]

21.5cm

[fancypants]

With that length & style , I'd say you've got an amputation saw .

[KC]

They got it!   

Medical antiques are very collectible.

[cogar]

That's what I figured when I seen the brass handle.

[geekofbroadband]

What would you say we do with it? We dont really want to keep it but dont want to throw it away now we know what it is  

[KC]

Where are you located?

You could donate it to the museum.  or, You could sell it.

[geekofbroadband]

Epsom, Surrey

[mariok54]

I'd always pictured amputation saws with an elongated abd sloped blade, but wth Thackray Leeds it almost certainly is from the hospital. Medical instruments can fetch a lot of money, and I came across a Medical Instruments website a while back, generally all pre 1900,  where they listed 'wanted' items, and some were in the $1000s .. but these were generally complete sets  or rare pieces. Can't for the life of me recall what site it was, but they had a selection of these saws. Google Amputation Saws and I'm sure you'll come across it. If it turns out not to be too valuable then I'm sure the museum would love it. I'm not sure I'd want it in the house, I'd be dwelling too long on the poor souls who were under the knife, or in this case the saw.

[cogar]

I'm not sure I'd want it in the house, I'd be dwelling too long on the poor souls who were under the knife, or in this case the saw.

  , and that is but one reason it would sell for BIG money, …. it’s macabre value to the serious collector.

[fancypants]

There is a genre of collectors of surgical (& other items) tools that focus on the history of those individuals who'd used or owned them , such as famous/infamous/historical doctors .

Although your item (IMO) is no longer serviceable as a surgical tool , it's a cool thing that the patina on it still looks as if it's present . I sure wouldn't try to 'clean it up' much , except for maybe a light oiling/rubbing to prevent further oxidation , esp. on the blade areas , geekofbroadband .

[KC]

What Cogar said....but more-so, there are many doctors/medical companies/etc that collect antique and vintage items for personal collections.  I know companies collect them to show the "evolution" of tools over time to the new/"improved" items of today.

Like Mario54 said above, these puppies can bring in some $$$.  WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND/HISTORY OF YOUR ITEM?  How did you come to acquire it?  History can have a big impact on value as well!

In searching for values you might want to look under "Medical" or "Scientific" antiques.  Have seen them categorized both ways over the years.

Some sites you may want to contact to come up with a value for your item:
http://medicalantiques.com/medical/Amputation_saws.htm



http://www.antiquescientifica.com/Sales%20Catalogue%20Additions.htm