Tom Gray of Canada has built an incredible collection of vintage chainsaws, including rare models from STIHL, Disston, Dolmar, Homelite, and more.
Many are military-issue saws, making an already impressive collection even more unusual and historically significant. A big thanks to Tom for allowing me to share these pictures.
First up, here is the Disston DA-211.
Learn more about this model in our list of every Disston Chainsaw.
Next is the Disston G-36.
The G36 has a Mercury KB6-AX engine and was produced 1942–1945.
Here’s the military version of the 247cc Dolmar Type CL.
And the following three images show the same three saws from different angles.
There are tons of great saws in this next image, but the large two-man model in front is an early-1950s military-version Mall Model 7H. The 200cc saw is very rare, especially in this condition.
Now let’s look at some STIHL military and government issue chainsaws.
Here’s a 1965 STIHL BLK 57, German military version (as opposed to the Swiss Army version further below).
This saw is 98cc, but only rated at 3.5 HP, which shows just how different early chainsaw engineering was.
Low revs, geared drive, separate gearbox oil, and a very rugged build made these machines a long way from modern pro saws. See less
The following five pictures show the same chainsaw, but the full images rather than the montage above.
The plate reads:
🔸Type: BLK 57
🔸Engine Serial Number: 335420
🔸Power: 3.5 HP
🔸RPM: 4500 rpm
🔸Displacement: 98 ccm
🔸Year of Manufacture: 1965
🔸Use branded oil such as:
🔹Engine Oil: MOBILOIL TT:25
🔹Gearbox Oil: MOBILUBE C 140
Next, the Swiss Army STIHL BLK 57.
They are the same basic 1965 STIHL BLK 57 powerhead, but they belong to two different military packages.
The saw with the long blue guide assembly is the Swiss Army version. Its chest is marked in both German and French: “Benzinkettensäge 65 / Tronçonneuse à chaîne 65,” meaning “petrol chainsaw 65.” The “65” is the Swiss military equipment designation/year, not a STIHL model number. The complete chest is marked as weighing 75 kg.
The other is the German military version, fitted with a conventional straight guide bar and supplied in a different equipment chest.
This plate reads:
A. Stihl, Maschinenfabrik
Waiblingen/NeustadtType: BLK 57
Mot.-Nr.: 335420
Leistung: 3,5 PS
Drehzahl: 4500
Hubraum: 98 ccm
Baujahr: 1965Markenöl verwenden wie:
Motor: MOBILOIL TT 1:25
Getriebe: MOBILUBE C 140
The blue Swiss attachment appears to be a specialized guided cutting or felling arrangement, with an extended brace and spike assembly at the nose. The German example uses the BLK 57 in a more conventional chainsaw configuration.
To sum up the two BLK 57s, the German and Swiss military saws use essentially the same powerhead. Their main differences are the bar and cutting equipment, military markings, storage chests and supplied accessories.
Next, are two different individual saws, but I think both are STIHL KS 43 two-man chainsaws.
Here are a couple of military version STIHL Contras.
The next three pictures show a vintage STIHL military hand-operated saw-chain sharpening machine and field service kit.
The chest contains:
- The hand-powered sharpening machine
- Numerous shaped grinding wheels
- Chain-holding and adjustment components
- Spare parts and tools
- A small oil or fuel-style container
- STIHL operating or parts documentation
- Protective goggles
The many grinding wheels are likely different profiles and sizes for servicing the various STIHL chain types then in military use. The black components stored separately appear to form part of the chain clamp or sharpening support.
Now for some later STIHL 045 AVEK BUND Chainsaws.
First, here’s Tom’s 045 AVEK 2—more information and better pictures can be found through that link (and we have another example here).
And this is Tom’s 045 AVEK 3—again, more information and better pictures can be found through that link.
Now moving on from the military and BUND saws, here’s a great shelf of saws.
Small 1970s saws up top, cutaway saws in the middle, vintage monsters on the bottom, and some water pumps in front.
An up close of the cutaway chainsaws.
From the top shelf, a couple of STIHL 020 AV versions.
Here’s a really unique STIHL 040 N Waterpump in fantastic condition.
The next is the one of the STIHL 08 S adaptions, the P840 Waterpump.
Next is Tom’s “G Rack.”
These are STIHL gear-driven chainsaws, including the 041 G, 090 G, and Contra G. The saw at the bottom right is a stone saw.
Here are some better pictures of a beautiful STIHL 090 G.
Following that monster is this rare CutQuick Saw, the model TS 510 AVE based on the STIHL 051.
Here’s Tom’s collection of all the STIHL Super Chainsaw versions, including some very difficult to find models.
Tom shared that the 048 Super was the hardest model to get his hands on. You can see better images our 048 Super overview.
And lastly, a few of saws I still need to identify.
Military Homelite.
And this saw which looks a lot like the STIHL BL, but I don’t think it is!
So that’s all—for now… Because Tom is still collecting!
