hand plane?

[jonny boy]

Hi,

There is currently an auction going on in ebay for an old plane and the bidding currently stands at well over £1000. I am a little in the dark where planes are concerned so can someone have a look and tell me what is special about this one please! The category it's in is woodworking.

cheers,
jon.

Mod Edit - Jonny, stuck it here, where I suppose it belongs. Noel

 

[Noel]

All rubber neckers this way please.............
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ANTIQUE-WOODWORKI ... dZViewItem

Plenty of time left to bid, it's only at £1,400 odd.

Noel

 

[Philly]

Someones having a giggle, methinks..........
Philly

 

[Alf]

I don't even pretend to know the answer to this one, but someone might (Rob? You have a collection I believe? ). All I can say is that big hunk of rosewood as a fence and the boxwood arms do not say "cheap tool" in anyone's language. Maybe a known "rare" plough plane, but I dunno. Pretty cool though.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Chris Knight]

It's the bevel up that does it :lol:

 

[Waka]

Way out of my league

 

[Mittlefehldt]

It sure is pretty but for the life of me I don't know why it is going that high, obviously at least two bidders know more than we do.

 

[mudman]

£1,420 :shock:

Bet the seller had a bit of a nice surprise there.

Did anyone ever come to any conclusions as to why this was so valuable?

 

[frank]

you know you hone the blade with a diamond stone well this plane has a diamond blade and is gold plated 8)


frank

 

[Rob Lee]

£1,420 :shock:

Bet the seller had a bit of a nice surprise there.

Did anyone ever come to any conclusions as to why this was so valuable?

Ah - Cowell & Chapman plough plane (English).... about 10 known, so I'm told....

If anyone wants one, I know where another can be had for about $4000 USD....so the price looks "reasonable".

Cheers -

Rob

 

[Mittlefehldt]

So who are these Cowell and Chapman lads when they are home?

 

[Alf]

Ah - Cowell & Chapman plough plane (English).... about 10 known, so I'm told....

There we are; knew Rob was our best hope of an explanation. :wink:

Armed with that, I can tell you the following courtesy of BPMs:

Cowell & Chapman (Cowell, W.), 5 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. 1859-at least 1900.
Planemakers and ironmongers. 1899: Also auger and edge tool makers. Whilst the vast majority of planes from Cowell and Chapman are unremarkable and similar to other makers, a highly unusual bronze-bodied plough plane of quality has been noted (David Stanley Auctions; 10 Spt. 1985; Lot 296). The plane consists of a solid and well-shaped gunmetal body, depth stop and screw cap securing conventional plough irons. A rosewood closed handle is fitted. The fence is adjusted by normal type boxwood screw stems and nuts. This plane would not appear to provide any advantage in use over a conventional plough plane except perhaps some robustness.

My bold and BPM's "whilst" :lol:

Cheers, Alf

 

[mudman]

Phew, mystery solved. Thanks Rob.

 

[Rob Lee]

Phew, mystery solved. Thanks Rob.

.... Thanks Alf!!