Vintage 6 1/2" infill style, smoothing or coffin plane.
Body unknown manufacturer, blade W Marples, Hibernia
Late 19th to early 20th Century
Width 6 1/2" (16.5cm)
Height 5 1/4" (13.5cm)
Depth 2 3/8" (6cm)
A very interesting infill style smoothing plane, quite simple in style. Possibly craftsman made, as there are no makers marks, unnecessary styling or additions.
The shortest of the bench planes, until the end of the 19th century, smoothing planes were predominantly wooden, typically made out of beech.
Being smaller than other bench planes, it is better to work on smaller workpieces and around obstructions. Since the 1700s wooden smoothing planes have predominantly been 'coffin shaped' – wider in the middle and slightly rounded. It has been claimed this shape exposes more end grain, enabling the plane to better adjust to changes in humidity. In Britain the name smoothing plane dates back to at least the 17th century.
Comes with 1 7/8" W Marples & Son, Hibernia blade and stell chip breaker.
William Marples was one of several ‘Marples’ in Sheffield manufacturing joiners tools in the 1840s. Know for their brass inlaid rosewood & ebony braces, boxwood spokeshaves, beech planes, gauges and squares. The company is in family hands and still based in Sheffield.
The body is made up of a steel sole and sides, with a wood infill, possibly beech. The wooden wedge is held in place by two shaped castings. Very heavy in the hand at almost 3 lb 4 oz (1.5Kg).
In good used condition with the usual aged related wear. The metal does show stress cracks on each side, where the front screws pass through the wooden infill in the heel. There is also damage to the metal at the heel, where it appears someone has hit it with a metal hammer. The blade and iron have been left to be sharpened by the new owner. All items have been lightly cleaned and oiled with linseed oil, to keep the original patina.
All items where appropriate will be sent well packaged, tracked and insured.
Where possible we will combine purchases for shipping. Total weigh approx. 1.45Kg.
