In the late 19th and early 20th centuries John F. Pribnow patented a series of improvements to saw swages, tooth shapers (gummers) and grinders. These patents were all acquired by E. C. Atkins & Co., who sold his swages and machines and also used them in their own saw-making operations. It appears that by 1920, Pribnow was working for E. C. Atkins in Indianapolis. But in 1927 or '28 he left that firm and struck out on his own, establishing Pribnow Saw Sharpening Machinery Co., which started producing sharpening machinery for both band and circular saws. Pribnow died suddenly in 1929 and the company appears to have died with him.

Information Sources

• From a 1927 issue of Iron Age.

  G. I. Fischer, formerly associated with the California Saw Works, San Francisco, but for the last three years in the Los Angeles office of the Simonds Saw & Steel Co., Fitchburg, Mass., is president of the Pribnow Saw Sharpening Machinery Co. , ..

• From a 1927 issue of Iron Trade Review.

  LOS ANGELES — Pribnow Saw Sharpening Machinery Co., 424 East Third street, has been incorporated to manufacture improved filing room machinery for both band and circular saw mills, by J. F. Pribnow.

• Ads in 1927 issues of Timberman.
• From the 1928 edition of Engineers.

  PRIBNOW SAW SHARPENING MACHINERY CO. (Saw sharpening machinery under Pribnow patents) Gen. Offices. 424 East 3rd St. Plant. Los Angeles, Calif. Pres.. G. I. Fischer V. Pres., J. F. Pribnow Sec.. K. H. Jack Gen. Supt.. A. J. Stratman ...

• FindAGrave page on John F. Pribnow, 1861-1929.