LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Image Gallery Joe Scottchain saw collectors

I have noticed several recent articles in Farm Collector magazine on chain saw collectors and would like to share my old saw with readers in the hope of getting some information.

I have talked with chain saw collectors at tractor and engine shows in my area, and no one has heard of my Farmcrest saw. I have never seen another one like it. I purchased mine used in the mid-1960s, and the seller said he thought it was sold by Montgomery Ward. Now, many years later, I associate the Farmcrest name with Gambles Hardware stores from the 1950s. I used it for a few years for small amounts of firewood. Other than being heavy, it was nearly impossible to stall. It was very powerful, but has no horsepower rating on the identification tag. The saw has been stored inside for 15 to 20 years and ran before it was put away.

It has a thumb-operated lever that unlocks a detent to allow the fuel tank, carburettor and handle to rotate 360 degrees, but will lock into 90-degree detents for cutting so the fuel tank always gravity-feeds the carburettor no matter what angle the saw is cutting. A decal denotes it as a Farmcrest. The identification tag information is as follows: 'Clinton Chain Saw Division, The Clinton Machine Co., Clinton, Mich., Model no. 3855, serial no. 52632, Type 5-8-11-2_9-8.' The carburettor has 'Clinton' cast into it.

I would like as much historical information as possible about this saw: What years they were manufactured, who sold them, if sold under another brand name, how many were made and horsepower rating. Any information is welcome, and thanks for letting me share this saw with the readers. - Joe Scott 25209 45th Place S. Kent, WA 98032 e-mail: tractormanwa@aol.com

Mystery press revisited, again

I was reading in the Farm Collector March and June 2004 issues on the 'Letters to the Editor' page about the W.M. Sharp mystery press.

Enclosed is a picture of one I have that is similar to the one mentioned. The top of the screw-down has 'R 4843' stamped on it. The brass nameplate on mine reads, 'Patented and Manufactured by W.M. Sharp Co., Binghamton, New York USA.'

Underneath the second level, it is stamped with the numbers, '4843-3-1-15.' It has 15 holes in the back and two in the front.