Disston · No. 12 · about 1865–1928 (then the D-12 to about 1953)
The No. 12 was Disston's top handsaw for most of its life. It went on sale around 1865, and the Disstonian Institute believes it was the first commercially made handsaw with a carved handle, the wheat pattern that became a Disston signature. Disston's 1876 catalog called it "the finest handsaw manufactured." The blade was Extra Refined London Spring steel, hammered more than cheaper saws for tension, ground one gauge thinner at the back so the teeth needed little set, and polished almost to a mirror. It's a straight-back saw with four brass screws on a full-size saw and three on a panel saw, and it came with rip or crosscut teeth. A skewback twin, the No. 112, sold from about 1901. In August 1928 the No. 12 became the D-12, which lasted until about 1953, with walnut handles after the war.
Identify and date it
The No. 12 is a straight-back saw with a chip-carved applewood handle in the traditional set-back position. The No. 9 looks like it without the carving, and the No. 112 is the same saw with a skewback. Nothing was etched No. 12 after 1928, when it became the D-12 with five screws and a cover-top handle. Under the handle, No. 12 blades are usually stamped X, Disston's mark for Extra Refined London Spring steel.
If you’ll use it
Pete Taran puts the No. 12 and No. 16 at the top of Disston's line for anyone looking for a good saw to use. Disston's most popular rip filing was 5½ points per inch.
If you’ll collect it
Collectors look for the finer carving of the early saws, since the wheat carving got coarser over time and was cut with a power rotary tool by the early 1900s. Split-nut screws mean a saw made before about 1876.
The carved horns chip and crack, and pre-1876 saws often have damaged or missing split-nut screws, which are hard to match. Many have lost the nib on the back of the blade, since it snaps off, and rust, pitting and kinked plates are as common as on any old saw.
Buying guide
Only 14 No. 12s and D-12s are listed, too few for the $95–250 delivered band to be a real market read. For a saw to use, take the D-12 titled clean and sharp at $65 delivered, since the D-12 is the No. 12 renamed in 1928 with a cover-top handle and five screws. On an older No. 12, look for the wheat carving and four screws on a full-size saw, ask for a photo sighting down the blade, and read the etch, because a saw etched D-12 is 1928 or later whatever the title says. Only one is titled rip, the 26-inch 5½-point ship-pattern saw at $150 delivered. Collectors pay for split-nut screws, which mean a saw from before about 1876, and one titled 1865-71 asks $191 delivered while a panel saw with the same claim asks $920.
$59.50est. delivered
A 24-inch No. 12 crosscut at 11 points for about $60 delivered, the lowest here. The title dates it 1917-1940, so check that the etch reads No. 12, since D-12 would make it 1928 or later.
Disston No. 12 London Spring Hand Saw, 24'' , 11 PPI. , Cross Cut, 1917 -1940
$65.43est. delivered
Titled clean and sharp at $65 delivered, well under the band. It's a D-12, the No. 12 renamed in 1928, so you get the same saw for less.
Vintage Disston D-12 Hand Saw 11-TPI - Clean and Sharp
$144.84est. delivered
Titled fresh sharpened, a 22-inch ship-pattern panel saw at 10 points crosscut. It asks $145 delivered, mid-band, so ask for a photo sighting down the blade before you offer.
Disston No.12 Ship Panel Hand Saw, 22", 10 pt Cross Cut Fresh Sharpened
$191.36est. delivered
Titled 1865-71 with split-nut screws, which fits an H. Disston & Son saw from before about 1876, at $191 delivered inside the band. Check the screws in the photos for chewed or missing nuts, since they're hard to match.
VINTAGE H. Disston & Son 1865-71 #12 Hand Saw 26" 10 TPI Split Nut Crosscut 🌺
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$59.50est. delivered
$40.00 + $19.50 shipping
Buy It Now$40.00
Good buy
24-inch crosscut, 11 points, London Spring steel per the title.
Seller: peteratlantic
100% positive
Used$65.43est. delivered
$55.00 + $10.43 shipping
Buy It Now$55.00
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Good buy
D-12, titled clean and sharp.
Seller: oldrusty_1611
100% positive
Used$144.84est. delivered
$119.99 + $24.85 shipping
Buy It Now$119.99
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Good buy
22-inch ship panel saw, titled fresh sharpened.
Seller: hedd35
100% positive
Used$191.36est. delivered
$167.16 + $24.20 shipping
Buy It Now$167.16
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Good buy
Titled 1865-71 with split-nut screws. Check them in the photos.
Seller: genuinetreasure
99.9% positive
Used$149.63est. delivered
$140.00 + $9.63 shipping
Buy It Now$140.00
Our take
The only one titled rip. 26 inches, 5½ points, ship pattern, carved handle.
Seller: pagescrapper
100% positive
New old stock$269.39est. delivered
$225.00 + $44.39 shipping
Buy It Now$225.00
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Our take
D-12 titled never used, c. 1943. Ask for close-ups of the teeth and etch.
Seller: fnaf_hq
99.9% positive
Used$149.77est. delivered
$62.27 + $87.50 shipping
Buy It Now$62.27
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Check the seller
Zero-feedback seller, and $87.50 shipping on a $62 saw.
Seller: jopae2107
No feedback yet
Used$920.14est. delivered
$899.99 + $20.15 shipping
Buy It Now$899.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Priced high
Split-nut panel saw titled 1865-71 with no wheat carving, about $730 over the other split-nut saw. An uncarved No. 12 looks like a No. 9, so check the etch.
Seller: jtallen83
100% positive
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