I believe that rather than a saw blade, the object is actually a
fragment of a hinge from a late 19th-mid 20th century folding ruler, the
type the folded in two directions.  The hinges of these rulers were
almost always brass.  Old Sears & Roebuck catalogs illustrate them
rather well.

Keith

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Webb, Paul (Chapel Hill,NC-US)
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 9:32 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Brass saw blade?

I'm looking for ideas on the function/age on an early to mid 19th
century artifact.

This is a small piece of what appears to be a saw blade; there are
several remaining teeth; the two teeth closest to the presumed handle or
mount are unworn as you might expect, but the others are worn down.

The material appears to be brass (or copper alloy), although that seems
unusual for a saw.

A photo is at
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269799_10150719251010366_
777205365_19827421_7441415_n.jpg ; any thoughts welcomed.

Paul Webb