Meat Slicing Machine

This is an American Slicing Machine meat slicer, circa 1935?? It is a "Scout" model, Serial Number 209639. It has a Westinghouse 1/4 HP motor, 110 V, 4.8 amp., single phase, 1725 RPM. Motor style is 410653, SN 5234496.
After making sure the motor (runs like a top), and bearings were all good, I dove into restoring this beast. The only real problem I've run into is with the blade. It has a 1" crack on it, running from the cutting edge in. My initial thought was that it could be welded, but I've since been told by several welders, that I run the risk of extending the crack all the way to the spindle hole. I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas about where I might get a replacement blade....would they still be available even....or would I need to have a new one fabricated? Do I ruin the restoration by putting a fabricated blade on? Would I be better of to leave the old blade on as is?
Any help, suggestions, comments would be appreciated. Also, if anyone has any idea how to exactly date this machine, I would love to know that too.
Also, I'm pretty sure that the pedestal is not original, as there is not an exact fit to the slicer frame.
The machine came out of what used to be a small meat market that opened in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in 1920. From about 1970 until this summer when it closed, it served only as a convenience store