Wooden plane with metal parts.

[ac445ab]

Ciao,
I recently restored this wooden plane. It has a metal sole and a strange rear handle.
I think it had homemade modifications but I am not sure of this.
I would like to know your opinion. Did you see some plane like this?

Here it is at work after the tune up.

Thanks
Giuliano

 

[Richard T]

That's a coincidence swmom bought a box of old tools for me at an auction when she went to see her folks the other week and in it was a brass soled coffin smoother just like yours is before the addition of the back handle.
I'll try to get some pictures up later.
I guess someone got fed up with blisters on their right palm.

 

[bugbear]

I've seen wooden smoothers with metal handles before, and some of the old catalogues list the handles as after-market products.

But I've not seen that particular design before. It doesn't look home-made to me - working accurately in sheet metal is more a creature of the factory, and stamps and dies. Craftsmen tend more to solid materials. It's also not a trivial job to fit it to the body.

My guess (and it IS a guess) is that it's a factory job.

Anyone got a Varvill catalogue to check?

BugBear

 

[ac445ab]

Thank you for your replies.
I hope someone can provide other information.
Curiously, the handle is like to that of an old iron.... :mrgreen: