Vintage 7 3/4" Coffin or smoothing plane.
King & Compy, Hull, England, body with John Marsden, blade iron.
19th Century
Width 7 3/4" (19.5cm)
Height 5 1/2" (14cm)
Depth 2 7/8" (7.5cm)
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.
Henry King started the firm in 1744 when he purchased William Southern's, plane and tool making and ironmongery business. In 1746 he had moved to bigger premises, adding a smithing shop. Providing six cottages for his workers, whilst he lived over the premises. Samuel King, Henry's son, was brought in as a partner in 1770, with, Henry retiring in 1776 and Samuel became sole proprietor. 1780 saw King developing links with Carron Co. Iron Founders of Falkirk. John Spence joining the company in 1781, now known as Spence & King. With Spence's death in 1790 his shares reverted back to Samuel King. 1806 saw Henry King, Samuel's nephew, joining the firm as a partner.
Employing 37,000 people by 1811, with Samuel retiring in 1815. John Turner a local iron merchant was admitted into partnership, in 1817. The company was now called Henry King, Turner & Co. 1843 saw Henry bring in his son, William Robinson King as a partner, with the company now called Henry King, Turner, Peach & King. 1847 saw Henry King and W.R. King dissolved their partnership. The company was now called King & Peach, under the partnership of W.R. King and Robert Peach.
King's won a bronze medal at the 1851 Great Exhibition for their planes. With the death of Peach in 1864, W.R. King purchased his shares and the business became King & Co. W.R. King retired in 1866. Turning into a limited company in 1881, with W. R. King as it's first chairman. In 1893, W.R. King died and his son, another W.R. King succeeded as chairman, with the wood plane works finally closing in 1907,
Comes with a 2" Cast Steel John Marsden blade.
A very solid and substantial plane, in excellent condition. Has been lightly cleaned and oiled with 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. 1Kg.
