The company was in business from 1883 through to at least 1945. Founder was Marvin O. Smith of New Buffalo, MI, who was the inventor of the saw. patented by Marvin Smith in 1882. It has the Frank Pahls June 3, 1902 patent tensioning device. After Smith died (about 1890), his widow ran the company until 1904. The company did not appear in Chicago city directories after 1904, but they were still advertising and selling their saw as late as 1942.
All their saws were manufactured in Chicago, except those for the Canadian market, which were made in Essex Centre, Ontario, to avoid Canadian duties.
THIS SAW CAME WITH 3 BLADE ATTACHMENT.
1-CHAMPION TOOTH.(FARMER)
2-DIAMOND TOOTH.(HARD WOOD)
3-LANCE TOOTH.(PITCH PINE PRO BLADE)
The last president in litterature was R.W.Pritchard for the last 15 years and the saw was fuly guarantee at no risk with replacement or adjustment at no cost.Label on the frame reads "Folding Sawing Machine Works" - "a Division of Pritchardsons".