Vintage plane identification help?

[adrenalnjunky]

Howdy,

Looking through my toolbox I dug out a pair of planes that belonged to my grandfather, figured I'd give it a shot at identifying them.

The smaller one, obviously a Stanley - H1247 - easy enough to ID. Need to tune it up and get it back in shape.

The bigger one - only marking it has is U.S. Pat No. 1914609. The google-box says that belongs to the Shelton company - issued in 1933. Some image search shows very similar planes all labeled as a Shelton #4, although most have "shelton" or "pat pend" on the very nose in front of the knob. Mine does not. Also - that tall handle doesn't appear in any pics I can see, all have a round knob.

I don't know the history of these, and my grandfather wasn't always known for buying "good" tools. But if I can get these back functional, I'd like to use them.

 

[3baygarage]

Hmmm, I think you could be right on the Shelton plane. The handle, from here looks like a wood chisel handle the was added.

 

[jimreed2160]

Grandfather was thrifty and used a screwdriver handle to replace the broken(?) front knob on the Shelton. In 1933, the company was granted a patent on the blade adjuster. They sold the plane division to Stanley in 1952. So your grandfather's plane was probably made after 1933. My guess is that it was made before 1940 because: 1) It has a japan finish 2) It is old enough to have the front knob replaced 3) Not many planes were made during the war 4) It looks about that old.

The #4 sized plane was common with carpenters and was used for fitting and general plane work. Around the home, #4s were commonly used to shave the bottom of sticky doors due to house settling.

It is nice to have grandfather's tools around. Sharpen them up and make some wispy shavings. Be sure to visit the GJ General Tools section and look up the Woodworking 101 thread. There is lots of ww lore there.