That saw is a variation of a Crescent. Crescent later turned into what we know as Delta. I can't tell for sure but it looks like it has 30" or 36" wheels. It also looks like it had guards made out of wood, perhaps. Still run off a belt, it appears, which is 'cool' but generally a PITA.

They came into their own around 1905 and were made up through the 1960's, albeit with more safety guards and electric motor drives.

They are nasty bandsaws that will make a modern bandsaw run and hide. A common use of these saws was in cutting wooden staves for boats. One guy would guide the beam while a few other guys held it in place and fed it through the saw.

Guards are important, not because you can get your hand in the cutting portion of the blade but rather because you can get wrapped up in the wheels themselves. They have a lot of rotating mass and even if you turn the power off they'll slow down when they feel like it.


I have a 36" Crescent. Mine is not as pretty but has the proper guards and was converted to motor drive. I'll sell you it for much less money than it is worth.