Rare Planes.

On the last picture below of this plane, you will see the mark STEEL, I have been comparing this mark with other Norris and Mathieson planes, these 2 makers are the only ones that I know who stamped STEEL on the front. The Mathieson mark has proved to be nothing like the Norris, the letters actually slope the right, ie. L is not a right angle, where as the Norris marks are smaller and upright and there are no serifs. I now have definite proof the mark on my plane is exactly the same as on some Norris's, it measures 3/8" wide and the letters are 3/32" high, again exactly like other Norris's.

The bottom of the wedge goes to a point, can you believe it , it is undamaged, a miracle, considering it's age.

The iron goes in from the bottom.

The wedge slides in easily from the top.

A copy of a Mathieson thumb plane, there are only about 3 known examples, all steel, D/T, bronze lever cap and screw. Ebony infill, snecked Sheffield iron, 4 3/4" long x 1 3/8" wide, very fine mouth.

A Mathieson style thumb plane, steel, rosewood infill, 5" longx 1 7/8" wide. The hardest of rosewoods, the finest of mouths.

A Mathieson type thumb plane, bronze and steel, cupid bow D/T, boxwood infill. 5" long x 1 7/8" wide, very fine mouth.

A bronze mitre plane with boxwood infill, 6" long x 1 3/4" wide. A very heavy plane fit for purpose, very fine mouth, 24 degree bed,Sheffield made iron by Marples.

A Mathieson type thumb plane, dovetailed, boxwood rear infill, bronze lever cap and screw, exceptionally fine mouth, Sheffield made iron showing 2 oarsmen and a cox in a boat with the inscription Oxford wins.

A boxwood mitre plane with ebony mouth closer.

A beautiful pair of skew mouthed boxwood infill mitre planes.

Over Stuffed Plane.

See information about this plane on page "About Bill".

Large Mitre Plane.

Massive gunmetal mitre plane with boxwood infill and 2 seperate shaped wedges, very old.

Varvill Mitre Plane.

A gum metal & steel D/T mitre plane by Varvill & Son, stamped on the front infill c.1800. His second son was born in 1805. Rosewood infill, beautiful cupid bow bridge, original iron marked S.Varvill, in very good condition.

Large Beech Plane 26" x 5" x 4".

This plane measures 26" long. In a Mathieson catalogue, the same plane, but smaller, 18" long, when new, cost more than a improved pattern skew mouth dovetailed mitre plane with rosewood infill. It is hard to see but there is a steel side facing the camera and a steel sole, combined there are 49 screws fastening these plates to the body. In the Mathieson catalogue the plane is described as a mitre or shuteing plane.

About 25 years ago, at a David Stanly sale being held at the Bardon Hall Hotel, where a lot of trading took place in the car park. I was approached by a well known Bristol dealer, he said "Hello Bill, you like small mitre planes, I have brought something for you". He shot off to his car and came back with this enormous plane, with a big grin on his face. I had never seen anything like it and I did buy it. It used to stand on my gas fire for many years. Then one day I sold it to David Stanley, who in turn sold it to a Scottish collector. I saw it in David Stanley's September sale 2010 and I bought it back. It now resides on the window sill at the top of the stairs, back home at last. I still haven't seen another one like it. It is stamped R. Clarke, Exeter on the front he was a dealer. I believe this plane is by Mathieson.