This antique scroll saw used a treadle, similar to old sewing machines, to power the motion of the saw. The user would place their feet on the pedals and alternate steps creating a rocking machine that spun the lower gear. Once moving the gear would power other gears through a leather belt, the end result creating a fully functioning “automatic” saw in an era prior to electricity.
This compact design was distributed by Millers Fall under the “New Rogers” name. This particular model first cropped up around 1880 and gave North American farmers access to an efficient and simple tool.