Help Identifying Plane

[CallumM]

Whilst hunting through the attic of our workshop the other day, I came across an old No. 4 1/2 Smoothing plane.
I asked my boss about it and he said that it had belonged to his grandfather, and possibly his father before that.
He also said I could have it as a belated Christmas present, thank you very much!

So I took it apart and cleaned it up, but there isn't any sign of who its made by, other than it's made in England,
has a serial number under the frog (C0458) and the blade has a number 77 on it as well as saying it's made in Sheffield.

I think it may be an old Stanley, mainly because it is painted black and looks pretty similar to various pics on the web,
but surely it would have Stanley or Bailey printed somewhere?

Any help identifying and aging it would be great
Cheers, Callum

 

[RogerP]

I don't think it's a Stanley at all but a copy of a Stanley Type 15 (early 1930's) made sometime before WW2 by one of the many Sheffield makers.

 

[bugbear]

I can't ID it, but congratulations on posting good, useful, pictures.

BugBear

 

[Bod]

Early Chapman, before Stanley takeover?
http://www.planemakers-database.com/page/4/ might help.

Bod

 

[Sheffield Tony]

I have been looking at the pictures thinking it looks very like my pre-Stanley J A Chapman No 4, except that mine has "Acorn" on the lever cap. But the coloration of the varnish on the handles, that reddish tint on the beech front knob - looks very familiar.

 

[MIGNAL]

That rear handle certainly looks very similar to the Acorn plane that I have.

 

[lurker]

Clearly I know less about planes than I thought. I see nothing on this to indicate any vintage whatsoever.

If I saw it at a boot sale I would dismiss it as post 70's (1970's) knockoff

 

[Bod]

Top shape of the blade, and lever cap type, give it away for me.

Bod

 

[CallumM]

Reading up on J A Chapman, it seems to fit everything I can find (despite the lack of an Acorn!).

Thanks for your help chaps.