Block (mitre) plane, small

Date1790-1820

MediumIron; wood

DimensionsOL: 5 5/8"; OH: 1 1/4"; OW(sole): 1 3/4"; sole thickness: 3/16 in.

Credit LineGift of the Mid-West Tool Collector's Association.

Object number2003-119

DescriptionFrom the description by John G. Wells (see "Publication References" for full reference, which is also in object folder):

A small miter plane of wrought iron plate construction, with the cutting iron placed bevel up and bedded at 25 degrees, suppored on a wood infill. the iron is held in place with a wood wedge under a wedge bolt. There is no front infill, which is typical. There are remnants of a black coating on the interior and exterior of the plane's body, possibly an early form of japanning.

The sole is made in two pieces, joined with a brazed joint at the mouth. The sole extends beyond the body of the plane on all sides [see full description for exact measurements], which is typical of miter planes of this period. The sole is attached to the body with a brazed joint, reinforced with a strip of iron brazed along the bottom edge of the plane's body. There is a hanging hole in the front bed extension, often seen on early miter planes.

The sides and rear of the body of the plane are formed by a continues piece of forged iron that is bent around the rear of the plane and contineus down both sides to join the front plate. The front plate runs straight across the plane and is joined to the sides with an open dovetail. The sides have been cut down into an ogee and bead curve forward of the wedge bolt.

The wedge bolt was forged and decorated with a bed at each side and in the center; the space between each bead is filled with an elongated cushion-shaped section. Tenons on the ends of the wedge bolt pass through holes in each side of the plane.

MarkingsNone
ProvenanceFormerly owned by Philip and Harriot Baker and given to Colonial Williamsburg by the Mid-West Tool Collector's Association via M-WTCA's Mount Vernon Committee.