This short note will describe a few paranumismatic items relating different types of wood saws, beginning with an engraved coin displaying the Hamilton family crest, the piece that started this study. This is followed by a token and engraved coins showing pit and trestle saws, Dingleys’ Sawmill, circular saws, and a USA token from a bandsaw mill. To complete the technologies a medal for a pioneer of the chainsaw is presented. Whilst the last item is German; with over 650 outlets in the UK today, the company Stihl and its products should be familiar to most readers.
A Paranumismatic History of Wood Saws – Gary Oddie
BNS Research Blog 
Thank you Gary for your interesting and beautifully illustrated blog contributions. I am particularly interested in the first item in this article.
I have in my collection a Scottish masonic medal which is in keeping with your theme:
Obv. OLD LODGE ST. JOHN’S LANARK NO. 19, in exergue FAULKNER. F. Angel standing on coffer inscribed SICK FUND, between pillars marked TRUTH and JUSTICE and supporting masonic symbols.
Rev. RIGHT IS MIGHT 12TH. JUNE 1822 Tree cut through trunk by frame saw, THROUGH on scroll beneath. Copper, holed with suspender, 49 mm.
An identical specimen is in the Worcestershire Museum of Freemasonry. It is illustrated at:
https://catalogue.wmlmt.org.uk/wiki/1938/19:_Medal:_Old_Lodge_St._John%E2%80%99s,_No._19%E2%80%94Sick_Fund._Lanark_1822
A specimen in white metal was sold by Dix Noonan Webb in their auction of 3 June 1999, lot 246, and another, also in white metal, is currently advertised on the ‘Masonic Medals’ web page of Trevor Harris as “TH122a. One of the ‘Rare 20’ medals (20 early medals where there are thought to be less than five examples in private hands)”. The catalogue number presumably refers to its designation in “The Medals and Jewels of British Freemasonry” by Trevor I. Harris. I do not have the book to check this. See:
https://masonicmedals.net/shop/th122a-1822-old-lodge-st-john-lanark-no-19/
It would be interesting to know the Hamilton family’s connection to this Lanarkshire lodge, and the significance of the date on the medal.
Hi David,
Glad you like the articles. This one was definitely off the beaten track!
And just when I thought it was safe to publish – there’s another one! The design really is well engraved – I’m glad I don’t collect these!
So, to your medal; Just spent a few minutes with Dr Google; http://pgllanarkshire.com/lodge-details/ gives the charter dates of some early Lodges in Lanarkshire – e.g. No.7 Hamilton Killwinning (1695), No. 31 St. Mary Coltness (1737), and No. 166 Airdrie St. John (1786), so the numbers are chronological and I would wager your medal celebrates the centenary of the founding of lodge 19 in 1722. Similarly I would suspect a wealthy or land-owning Hamilton was a founder, sponsor, funder of the Lodge house or first leader, but haven’t found him. . .yet. If you find more or an interesting story, please write it up and send to Rob for publication in the blog.
All the best,
Gary
Thank you for your response Gary. I shall remain vigilant for any new information about the medal. I am appreciative of your identification of the Hamilton family connection implicit in the medal’s design, knowledge new to me.