Collections record Beta

Ice Saw and Blade Cover

2012-61-1 A,B

Early 20th century ice saw and blade cover. Saw (2012-61-1 A) made of iron. Blade 4 1/2" feet long with two inch teeth from end to end. Curved, iron handle with wooden hand grip extends from black eighteen inches. Blade cover (2012-61-1 B) made from wood. Rectangular box with open top for blade of saw to rest in. Cover painted red with "4 1/2 FT." and "GIFFORD-WOOD CO/ ICE MACHY AND IVE TOOLS/ HUDSON NY" painted in black on both sides. Edges of wood and paint very worn. "HUDSON NY" almost completely worn away. Blade cover also has a black leather strap with iron buckle attached to the middle. The strap can be wrapped around the saw blade when inserted and buckled to secure the cover to the blade.

This saw was owned by Jesse and Dotty Castle of Meadow Street, Litchfield, CT in the late 20th century. Mr. Castle's father, Jesse H. Castle, had used it when he worked as a caretaker for White Memorial. He would use the saw to cut clocks of ice from Bantam Lake in the winter months. The ice would then be hauled back for later use at White Memorial.

William T. Wood arrived in Arlington, MA about 1841 and started working with Abner Wyman making and repairing ice tools. He purchased the business in 1845 and ran it by himself until partnering with his brother Cyrus in 1858. He died in 1871. His son, William E. Wood, took over, retaining the name of William T. Wood and Co. In 1905 the company was consolidated with Gifford Brothers of Hudson, NY as Gifford-Wood Co.

• Gifford-Wood Co.

Saw 54" x 8"; Blade Cover 57" x 4"

• iron
• wood
• leather
• paint