When did the first chainsaw clutch come out?

[kneedeepinsaws]

I am just curious, my dad used to talk about chainsaws on the farm in which they did not have a clutch.
He aint around no more, but im wondering what he might have used back in the 70’s or if he most likely just had a saw with a broken clutch?

 

[huskyboy]

Maybe he was talking about gear drive saws?

 

[Philbert]

I tried Google Patents, searching for 'chainsaw centrifugal clutch', which returned over 1.700 references. One of the earlier ones was 1923 from Germany. Since Andreas STIHL did not start making chainsaws in Germany until 1926, I would have to speculate that these were likely available early on.

Selbsttaetige coupling
F16D43/24 Automatic clutches actuated entirely mechanically controlled by acceleration or deceleration of angular speed

Philbert

 

[rocketnorton]

1948 iel ab has manual clutch.
only man clutch saw ive owned

 

[Bigmac]

I’m guessing he was either thinking a Gear Reive saw or if someone was taking the literal definition of a “direct drive” saw meaning no clutch? Shoot even old drag saws had a manual clutch/engagement

 

[kneedeepinsaws]

Thx boys, looks like the clutch was around well around his time. Probably using one with a broken one

 

[Philbert]

Just because it was around, does not mean that his saw had one. We always hear guys talking about equipment that had odd quirks or unusual designs.

Philbert