I picked up a small saw at the local tool show here in Richmond Virginia. I covered the blade with naval jelly to remove some rust – and the words “VICTOR” and “Warranted Cast Steel” appeared suspended in the navel jelly. I took a quick photo with my cellphone. When I disturbed the navel jelly, the words swirled away never to return. There is no sign of etching on the blade, except for the one found in the reaction of chemicals.
Interesting. I could be wrong (it’s happened before), but, I think older saws had markings etched in the metal of the blade. Newer saws are just printed with ink, on the blade.