Sawbuck
Child's sawbuck, Church Family, Enfield, CT
ca. 1870
Description
Sawbuck of maple (Acer spp.) consisting of two X-shaped ends made up of 1/2 x 1 x 14 1/2" pieces. A half-lap joint forms each of the ends. A 29/32" diameter dowel with a hole through its center holds the ends 6 11/16" apart and the assembly is secured with a 1/4" diameter x 9" iron bolt inserted through a hole centered in the lap, through the dowel, and finally through the center of the lap at the other end. An iron wingnut holds the assembly together. Originally painted orange-red but the red has faded and most of the paint has chipped away.
Notes
According to acquisition source, this is one of two child-size pieces made for Albert Dexter, who lived at the Church Family, Enfield, CT, and died there in 1874 at the age of 16.