Disstonian Institute
Quick Glance Guide to Disston Handsaw Models
Handle Profile Model Number
with links to more information 		Characteristics and
Manufacturing Dates 		Notes
No. 7 beech handle, four nuts (full size), three nuts (panel saw) 1840-1928 commonly found, the basic Disston model for decades
No. 8 apple handle, four nuts (full size), three nuts (panel saw) ca. 1860-1914 uncommon saw.
No. 7 rip saw, 28" or longer beech handle, four nuts, rounded top for second hand same as above, but with stout handle
No. 8 rip saw, 28" or longer apple handle, four nuts, rounded top for second hand same as No. 8 above, but with stout handle. Scarce variant of an uncommon saw.
D-7 beech handle, four nuts, 1928-1960's common basic-model saw, replaced original No. 7
No. 76 (Centennial) apple handle, four nuts (full sized), three nuts (panel saw), skewback blade, ca.1876-1923 not commonly found
D-8 apple "let-in" handle, five nuts (full size), four nuts (panel saw), skewback blade, 1880's-1955 common, high quality saw
No. 120 (Acme) carved apple handle, skewback blade, extra taper, no set on specially-filed teeth, ca.1876-1924 shape similar to D-8. less common cabinetmaker's saw, meant for use on dry hardwoods only. 28" ripsaw had thumbhole handle
D-17, D-117 (Double Duty) "hardwood" handle, alternating groups of rip and crosscut teeth uncommon saw, meant for rough carpentry
D-8 with Dual Grip (thumbhole) 26" or longer, apple handle, five nuts, skewback blade, 1880's-late 1940's offered as a crosscut, but almost always a rip saw
D-100 (see below)rip saw with carved handleother details same as D-100 saw
No. 120 Acme (see above)28" ripsaw with carved handleother details same as No. 120 saw
D-100 carved apple handle, five nuts (full size), four nuts (panel saw), skewback blade, ca.1903-1923 looks like a D-8 with a carved handle. far less common than the D-8. ripsaw available with thumbhole handle
D-15, D-115 "Victory" handle similar to D-8 and D-100 shape, but made of rosewood, 1915-1928 later more common "Victory" saws had rosewood or mahogany handles shaped like the D-23 (see below)
No. 99 apple handle, four nuts, three of them medallions, 1865-1902 later 1888-1902 model with "let-in" handle shown. earlier model had handle similar to No. 9. very rare saw
No. 9 apple handle, four nuts, straight back blade, 1860-1914 uncommon saw, handle looks like a No. 12 without carving
No. 12, 112 carved apple handle, four nuts (full size), three nuts (panel saw), straight back blade, 1860-1928 less common than some models, but not hard to find. also an uncommon No. 112 made with skewback blade, 1903-1923
D-12 carved apple handle, walnut after WWII, five nuts, straight back blade, 24" and 26" lengths, 1928-1953 replaced the original No. 12
No. 16
(New 16) 		carved apple "let-in" handle, four nuts (full size), three nuts (panel saw), straight back blade, 1880-1928 less common than the No. 12. D-16 sold for a short time after 1928 with characteristics like other saws in the line at that time
D-20, D-21, D-22, D-23 (pre-1928) carved apple "let-in" handle, five nuts D-23 made 1911-1990, very common. D-20 much less common, discontinued in 1928. D-21 and D-22 not commonly found
D-23 (after 1928) same features as earlier D-23 with modified handle shape very common, good user saw
D-15, D-115, D-42, D-43 (Victory) D-15, 1928-1951; D-115, 1928-1945; D-42, D-43, WWII-era. rosewood or mahogany handle handle shape same as D-23. earlier Victory saws had handle shape similar to D-8 and D-100 (see above)
D-95 (Masterpiece) plastic handle 1935-ca.1953. Rosewood handle after 1955
D-111 black nylon handle. ca. late 1950's-early '60's HK Porter-era product. last saw made in Philadelphia plant
D-100 aluminum handle with wood infill, 1961-66 HK Porter-era product. I doubt Henry Disston would have put his name on this saw in his lifetime. My hands get blisters just looking at the handle. It's not to be confused with the more traditional D-100 sold earlier in the century (see above)

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Quick Glance Guide to Disston Handsaw Models
©2001 Erik von Sneidern