D-115 saw
D-15 Handsaw pre-1928

Disston Victory Handsaws

Detail of WWII D-15 Handsaw

Detail of ca. 1950 Disston D-15 Handsaw        

D-43 Etch

      Detail of WWII-era Victory etch

Diamond Jubilee

 

In 1915 Disston and Sons, Inc. commemorated the 75th anniversary of the company's founding with a new saw. The D-115 was a London Spring steel blade saw with a rosewood handle and a fancy etching. It's not a saw that Joe Framer would have used to build tract houses. Disston called it the Diamond Jubilee Saw.
Diamond Jubilee The saw was impressive and there must have been a market for it, because Disston continued the saw in one form or another until 1953. The Diamond Jubilee probably was sold for a year or so. The D-115 first appeared in the 1914 catalog without the extra diamond logo.


Diamond Jubilee Etch Diamond Jubilee Etch

  D-115 etch pre-1928

No less striking than the Diamond Jubilee etch is that of the D-115 Victory saw. Around the time the U.S. was making its entry into World War I, Disston redesigned the D-115's etch and it became known as the Victory Saw. The etch shows an eagle flying over nine flags, holding the Liberty Bell over the phrase, "Proclaim Liberty Throughout the World". Allegory on a saw blade. The etch design was revised when the "V" for Victory symbol was brought into fashion by Winston Churchill during WWII.

D-15 etch pre-1928
Late D-115 Etch

Victory etch detail
D-115 handle, pre-1928 D-15 handle, after 1928
The rosewood handle, like the blade, was shaped much like that of a D-8 saw until 1928. Like every other saw in the Disston line, the Victory saws were changed at that time. The handle shape became something more like the D-23.
D-115 HandsawOn the left is a D-115 from the pre-1928 era.
D-15

There was also a straight-backed version of the saw, the D-15; a post-1928 model is shown here.



The WWII-era saws have the Morse Code symbol for the letter V "...-" under the word Victory. During the war, rosewood was not used to make the handles, it appears to be walnut. D-42 and D-43 saws were wartime models, similar in quality to the D-15, except the hardware was steel instead of brass. D-42 and D-43 don't appear in catalogs from that time.

D-43 Handsaw D-43 Handle



D-42

D-42 Etch

D-43 Etch


Mid-1950's D-95 Handsaw Mid-1950's D-95 handle detail Mid-1950's D-95 etch The 1947 catalog lists the D-15 saw with a laminate handle. This would be it. Rosewood is listed again in 1951. This probably resulted from a wood-supply issue.



The D-95 handsaw was produced from 1935-53 with a plastic handle. It's mentioned here because it also featured the Victory etch for at least part of its production. It was referred to as the Masterpiece model. Click here to see great photos of a mint example of the saw.





Information taken from Disston 1914 catalog:
Note: The product line was its broadest at this time. Points per inch are not specified so it may be safe to assume
the customer could special order any practical number of points on a saw.

D-115 1914 catalog illustration
D-115 Skewback

Extra Refined London Spring Steel, Selected and Highly Polished Blade,
Warranted, Rosewood Handle, Carved and Polished, Nickel-Plated Screws.

 Retail
 per Dozen
Length
16" $25.75
18" $27.75
20" $30
22" $32
24" $34
26" $36
28" $40
30" $45





Information taken from Disston publication
The Saw -- How to Choose it and How to Keep it in Order
ca. 1918:

D-115 Illustration
D-115

This is the latest and finest product of the Disston Works, and the last word in saw making. Genuine Rosewood handle, carved and polished. The blade is Disston Skewback design, exceptionally high finish, made from Disston Crucible Steel, and fastened in the handle with nickel-plated screws. Our many years' experience and wide knowledge in the making of a perfect saw steel has enabled us to produce a blade for this saw that cannot be duplicated elsewhere.
No. D-15. Same quality and finish as D-115. Straight back.


Information taken from Disston 1918 catalog:

D-115 Illustration
D-115

This is the latest and finest Handsaw ever made. Genuine Rosewood handle, carved and polished. The blade is Disston Skewback design, exceptionally high finish, made from Disston Highest quality Crucible Steel, and fastened in the handle with nickel-plated screws. Our many years' experience and wide knowledge in the making of a perfect saw steel has enabled us to produce a blade for this saw that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. Packed one in Special Box.


Manufactured only in the following lengths and points:
inches points Retail
Cross Cut      
20 10, 11 $30.00 per dozen
22 10, 11 $32.00
24 9, 10, 11 $34.00
26 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 $36.00
Rip      
26 5, 5½, 6 $36.00




No. 15 [sic.] same as D-115, except straight back.

Manufactured only in the following lengths and points:
inches points Retail
Cross Cut      
24 8, 9, 10 $34.00 per dozen
26 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 $36.00
Rip      
26 5½, 6 $36.00






Information taken from Disston 1922 catalog:

D-115 1922 catalog illustration
D-115

This is the finest product of the Disston Saw Works, and we believe the best practical hand saw in material, workmanship, and finish that can be made. Carpenters and saw users who want a tool of unusual efficiency and beauty are users of this saw. We have made it as good in quality and beautiful in appearance as we can in a practical tool. The handle is of genuine rosewood, beautifully carved and polished; the five screws which fasten the handle to the blade are of brass, nickel-plated. Careful workmanship has produced a remarkable finish on the blade. The blade, which is of Disston-made Steel, has special workmanship through all the processes-hardening, tempering, setting, and filing.

Altogether, it is a tool worthy of its place at the head of the line of Disston Quality Saws. It is made in lengths from 16 to 30 inches with cross-cut or rip teeth. The special care and workmanship in this saw naturally makes its cost higher than that of an ordinary tool. The D-15 Saw is exactly like the D-115 except that the blade is straight-back.
Lengths (inches):
16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30




Information taken from Disston 1924 and 1926 catalogs:

D-115 1924 catalog illustration
D-115

This is the finest product of the Disston Saw Works, and we believe the best practical hand saw in material, workmanship, and finish that can be made. Carpenters and saw users who want a tool of unusual efficiency and beauty are users of this saw. We have made it as good in quality and beautiful in appearance as we can in a practical tool. The handle is of genuine rosewood, beautifully carved and polished; the five screws which fasten the handle to the blade are of brass, nickel-plated. Careful workmanship has produced a remarkable finish on the blade. The blade, which is of Disston-made Steel, has special workmanship through all the processes-hardening, tempering, setting, and filing.

Altogether, it is a tool worthy of its place at the head of the line of Disston Quality Saws. It is made in lengths from 20 to 26 inches with cross-cut and 26 inches rip teeth. The special care and workmanship in this saw naturally makes its cost higher than that of an ordinary tool.
Lengths (inches):
Crosscut -- 20, 22, 24, 26
Rip -- 26




The D-15 Saw is exactly like the D-115 except that the blade is straight-back.

Lengths (inches):
Crosscut -- 24, 26
Rip -- 26



Information taken from Disston 1927 catalog:

Choosing a saw for general use is largely a matter of personal preference. The following Disston Saws are all popular. One of the wide-blade patterns or the Lightweight patterns will have the temper, weight, and balance that just suits you.

More and more each year sawing is in lighter work. Carpenters and saw users do not have as much heavy sawing to do. Modern building methods have taken a great deal of it away. Therefore, Disston Lightweight Saws, having less weight and less width to the blade, are very popular. They are easier to handle on many of today's sawing jobs.


D-15 1927 catalog illustration
D-15 Saw

This saw is the finest product of the Disston Saw Works and, we believe, the best practical hand saw in material, workmanship, and finish that can be made. Carpenters and saw users who want a tool of unusual efficiency and beauty are users of this saw. We have made it as good in quality and beautiful in appearance as we can in a practical tool. The handle is of genuine rosewood, beautifully carved and polished; the five screws which fasten the handle to the blade are of brass, nickel-plated.

Careful workmanship has produced a remarkable finish on the taper-ground, thin-back blade. The blade, which is of Disston-made Steel, has special workmanship through all the processes-hardening, tempering, grinding, setting, and filing. Altogether, it is a tool worthy of its place at the head of the line of Disston Quality Saws.

Made in lengths of 24 and 26 inches cross-cut teeth, and 26 inches rip teeth. The special care and workmanship in this saw naturally make its cost higher than that of an ordinary tool.

The D-115 Saw is exactly like the D-15 except that the blade is skew-back. Made cross-cut teeth, 20 inches to 26 inches; rip, 26 inches.



Information taken from Disston 1928 brochure:

D-115 1928 catalog illustration
D-115 Regular Pattern, Skew Back
Carved rosewood handle with new weatherproof finish.
Nickel-plated screws. Disston true-taper grind.
Price, 26" length, $5.85 each

  length points
cross-cut 20" 11
22" 10
24" 10, 11
26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
rip 26" 5½, 6



D-15 Lightweight 1928 catalog illustration
D-15 Lightweight Straight Back
Improved pattern rosewood handle. New grip, roomy and comfortable.
New carving, new weatherproof finish. Nickel-plated screws. Disston true-taper grind.
This and the D-115 are the finest hand saws on earth.
Price, 26" length, $5.85 each

  length points
cross-cut 24" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
rip 26" 5½, 6


Information taken from Disston 1929 catalog:

D-15 1929 catalog illustration
D-15 Lightweight Pattern, Straight-back
The finest Lightweight saw that Disston makes.
Improved pattern of rosewood handle, with new grip, roomy and comfortable.

New carving, new weatherproof finish, nickel-plated screws. Disston true-taper grind.

length points retail (each)
Crosscut 24" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11  
26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 $5.85
Rip 26" 5½, 6 $5.85





Disston Regular Pattern Saws
(Standard Width)

To those who prefer Regular Pattern (Standard Width) saws, we can supply the old-time favorites, improved in every feature, including Disston True-Taper grinding, thinner blades, weatherproof-finish handles with covered tops, larger hand holes, etc. Disston Regular Pattern saws are made in all required lengths and points. The numbers of these old-time favorites are D-115, D-8, D-120, and D-17 in skew-back patterns, and D-12, D-16, and D-7 in straight-back.




Information taken from Disston 1930 catalog:

D-15 1930 catalog illustration
D-15 Lightweight, Straight-back

Improved pattern rosewood handle. New grip, roomy and comfortable.
New carving, new weatherproof finish, nickel-plated screws. Disston true-taper grind.
This and D-115 are the finest saws made.

  Length Points
Crosscut 24" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Rip 26" 5½, 6




Information taken from Disston 1932 catalog:

D-15 1932 catalog illustration
D-15 Lightweight Pattern Straight-back

The Disston No. D-15 Lightweight Straight-back Pattern is the finest saw Disston makes. highest quality material, best workmanship, beautiful finish. The lightweight saw for the man who prides himself on fine tools. Thin back, true-taper ground by a new Disston process. Tooth edge is the same gauge throughout; blade tapers evenly from butt to point and from tooth edge to back, making a fast, smooth, easy-cutting saw.

Blade of Disston steel, hardened and tempered; striped back. Genuine rosewood cover-top handle, artistically carved; large hand hole; comfortable grip. Disston weatherproof finish. Five nickel-plated screws in 26-inch length, and four nickel-plated screws in 24-inch length.
Length
of Blade
Points to inch
Cross-cut
Points to
inch Rip
Weight
per doz.
Retail Price
per doz.
24 inches 7, 8, 9, 10   21 lbs. $60.00
26 inches 7, 8, 9, 10 5½, 6 23 lbs. $60.00


Packed 1/6 dozen in box.
Width of 26-inch blade: Butt 6 1/4 inches; Point 1½ inches; 24-inch length in proportion.




D-115 1932 catalog illustration
D-115 Regular Pattern Skew-back

The Disston No. D-115 Regular Pattern Skew-back Saw is the choice of the man who demands the best in a regular pattern blade. High quality; best workmanship; beautiful finish. It and the D-15 are the finest saws Disston make. Thin back, true-taper ground by a new Disston process. Tooth edge is the same gauge throughout; blade tapers evenly from butt to point and from tooth edge to back. A fast, smooth, easy-cutting saw.

Blade of Disston steel, hardened and tempered; beautiful finish; striped back.

Genuine rosewood cover-top handle, artistically carved; comfortable grip; large hand hole. Disston weatherproof finish. Five nickel-plated screws.

Length
of Blade
Points to inch
Cross-cut
Points to
inch Rip
Weight
per doz.
Retail Price
per doz.
26 inches 7, 8, 9, 10 [not available] 26 lbs. $60.00


Packed 1/6 dozen in box.
Width of 26-inch blade: Butt 6 5/8 inches; Point 2 1/8 inches.



Information taken from Disston 1937 catalog:

D-15 1937 catalog illustration
D-15 Lightweight, Straight-back

Improved pattern rosewood handle. New grip, roomy and comfortable.
New carving, new weatherproof finish, nickel-plated screws. Disston true-taper grind.
This and D-115 are the finest saws made.

  Length Points
Crosscut 24" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Rip 26" 5½, 6




Information taken from Disston 1939 and 1940 catalogs:

D-15 1940 catalog illustration
D-15 Lightweight Pattern, Straightback

Covertop, carved rosewood handle, weatherproof finish, roomy comfortable grip.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautifully finished.
This saw, the D-115 and D-95 are three of the finest handsaws ever manufactured.

length points
Crosscut 24" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Rip 26" 5½, 6





D-115 1940 catalog illustration
D-115 Regular Pattern Skewback

Covertop, carved rosewood handle with comfortable grip, weatherproof finish.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautiful finish.

length points
Crosscut 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11


[Note the change in the etch from 1940 to 1942, and how it goes back to the original design in 1945. Other features of the saw are unchanged over that time.]




Information taken from Disston 1942 catalog:

D-15 1942 catalog illustration
D-15 Lightweight Pattern, Straightback

Covertop, carved rosewood handle, weatherproof finish, roomy comfortable grip.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautifully finished.
This saw, the D-115 and D-95 are three of the finest handsaws ever manufactured.

length points
Crosscut 24" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Rip 26" 5½, 6





D-115 1942 catalog illustration
D-115 Regular Pattern Skewback

Covertop, carved rosewood handle with comfortable grip, weatherproof finish.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautiful finish.

length points
Crosscut 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11


[Note the change in the etch from 1940 to 1942, and how it goes back to the original design in 1945. Other features of the saw are unchanged over that time.]




Information taken from Disston 1945 catalog:

D-15 1945 catalog illustration
D-15 Lightweight Pattern, Straightback

Covertop, carved rosewood handle, weatherproof finish, roomy comfortable grip.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautifully finished.
This saw, the D-115 and D-95 are three of the finest handsaws ever manufactured.

length points
Crosscut 24" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Rip 26" 5½, 6





D-115 1945 catalog illustration
D-115 Regular Pattern Skewback

Covertop, carved rosewood handle with comfortable grip, weatherproof finish.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautiful finish.

length points
Crosscut 26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11


[Note the change in the etch from 1940 to 1942, and how it goes back to the original design in 1945. Other features of the saw are unchanged over that time.]





The D-115 does not appear in the 1947 brochure.



Information taken from Disston 1947 catalog:

D-15 1947 catalog illustration
D-15 Lightweight Pattern Straight-back

A fine Disston Saw -- highest quality material, best workmanship.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautiful finish.
Cover-top, laminated wood, carved handle, weatherproof finish.

length points
Crosscut 24" 8, 10
26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rip 26"


[Note the change in the etch from 1945 to 1947. The "V" had returned for the rest of the saw's production]




Information taken from Disston 1951 catalog:

D-15 1951 catalog illustration
D-15 Lightweight Pattern Straight-back

A fine Disston Saw -- highest quality material, best workmanship.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautiful finish.
Cover-top, carved, attractive rosewood handle, weatherproof finish.

length points
Crosscut 24" 8, 10
26" 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rip 26"




Information taken from Disston 1953 catalog:

D-15 1953 catalog illustration
D-15 Lightweight Pattern Straight-back

A fine Disston Saw -- highest quality material, best workmanship.
Disston Steel blade, striped back, true taper ground. Beautiful finish.
Cover-top, carved, attractive rosewood handle, weatherproof finish.

length ppi
Crosscut 26" 8, 10, 12
Rip 26"





The D-15 does not appear in the 1955 product line catalog.


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