Spiers Smoothing Plane Number Marks

[AdrianUK]

Anyone confirm the markings on this Spiers smoothing plane.
The base is cast with 84, the iron is also marked 84, but what does it signify ?

 

[Argus]

Probably a matching batch number, uniting a blade with a matching body and a particular maker.

A lot of these old tools were originally bench-made on piece-work.

 

[D_W]

couldn't clue you in on what the numbering is, but it is a spiers plane-o-ayr, a common plane that was relatively affordable at least the last time I looked.

Well, in so far as anything made by spiers was - maybe $225 for a clean one, and in the US, we assume that means they can be had for relatively little in the UK.

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

The numbers are for keeping track of matching parts. All the Spiers I have seen, including my own, have a number (all different).

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[AdrianUK]

Probably a matching batch number, uniting a blade with a matching body and a particular maker.

A lot of these old tools were originally bench-made on piece-work.

Thanks Argus

 

[AdrianUK]

couldn't clue you in on what the numbering is, but it is a spiers plane-o-ayr, a common plane that was relatively affordable at least the last time I looked.

Well, in so far as anything made by spiers was - maybe $225 for a clean one, and in the US, we assume that means they can be had for relatively little in the UK.

Thanks DW

 

[AdrianUK]

The numbers are for keeping track of matching parts. All the Spiers I have seen, including my own, have a number (all different).

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks Derek

 

[Argus]

Noticing the 'Broad Arrow' mark on the body and the blade, suggests to me that the plane was originally made for the British government.

Bit more about it here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broad_arrow
Not uncommon on old tools or other items coming up on the second-hand market here in the UK.
We find it here in the UK dotted about the countryside, carved on stones and bridges, as it was also used as a height datum mark on Ordnance Survey maps and certain points in the landscape.