Model Guide

This guide to the various models of Langdon-branded miter boxes was compiled from the various Millers Falls catalogs that are referred to on the Catalogs page. N.B. The size codes have different meanings for the Acme type.

It may sound counterintuitive to the modern reader but in the Millers Falls numbering scheme, the model number assigned to a miter box is dictated by the size of the saw that was sold with it. In other words, the sole apparent difference between models #1, #2 and #3 is that #1 came with a wood cutting blade, #2 a metal (sic) cutting blade and #3 with both wood and metal blades. The miter boxes themselves were identical. Likewise, the difference between a Langdon #74 and #75 is that the former was sold with a 28″ long saw and the latter with a 30″ saw. Both saws were 5″ deep. Go figure.

Millers Falls also sold its miter boxes without accompanying saws and when it did, it assigned an altogether different model number to the miter box. Thus, Langdons bearing model numbers 1017 through 1075 are apparently identical in every respect to the corresponding Langdon models 17 through 75. The prefix “10” generally means “sold without factory-provided saw.” However, the Langdon model 1124 does not neatly fit into this scheme. It was always sold with a backsaw (according to the catalogs). The model 1120 was its non-saw analogue.

Millers Falls continued the Goodell-Pratt line of “All Steel” and “Greenfield” miter boxes for a number of years following its buyout of that company, and apparently used model numbers beginning with “10” to indicate the saw-less versions of those tools.

All in all, it seems quite a jumble.

Lastly, there are the letter designations “A” and “C” (e.g. 1071A, 1071C). It is not clear precisely what these letters are supposed to mean. For the moment we will simply note that the “A” designation appears in the late 1930’s, the “C” designation in the mid 1950’s.

Do you have something that does not conform to, or that would augment or correct the above? Please let us know.