Vintage 1 1/2" shoulder/rebate/rabbit plane.
George P. Preston & Sons, Sheffield
Early 20th Century
Width 9 1/2" (24cm)
Height 6 1/2" (16.5cm)
Depth 1 3/4" (4.5cm)
Usually called 'rabbit' planes in the workshop, they are used for making rebates or 'rabbits', working end grain, or making final jointing cuts on boards. The blade widths range from 1/4" to 1 3/4" and can be straight or skewed. With the adjustable fence, various widths of shoulder or rebates can be made.
Marked 'GEO.P.PRESTON&SONSLtd, SHEFFIELD' on the toe and 'EMIR 404 LONDON' on the heel. Also shows previous owners marks of 'GRIMSBY SENIOR SCHOOL'.
In 1901, George P. Preston (1865-1946) had offices on Station Road, Doncaster, with the main office at Wellington Street, Sheffield. Later he was joined by his sons, Ernest Arthur (1892-1965) and George Noble (1893-1979).
Specialising in retailing woodworking tools, particularly saws and other joiners’ tools. During the Second World War, Preston’s relocated to Devonshire Street. After George's death, his sons continued the Devonshire Street business. Regarded as one of the two main tool dealers in Sheffield, J. B. Hindley, being the other. Ashley Iles initially sold tools through Preston’s. Iles recalled that George was a ‘very tall, gaunt man with a shock of grey hair and a surly, overbearing attitude’. Also saying ‘When I collected my orders on Saturday morning, the shop was full of patternmakers, joiners and other woodworking salesmen. It proved a formidable shop to sell to … In the shop was a notice reading: We shoot every second salesman and the first has just left’ (Iles, Memories of a Sheffield Tool Maker, 1993). The firm was wound up in 1969.
In good used condition, with no chips to blade edge.
Has been lightly cleaned and oiled with raw linseed oil, to keep the original patina.
Aged related wear.
All items where appropriate will be sent well packaged, tracked and insured.
Where possible we will combine purchases for shipping. Total weigh approx. 620g.
