Unmarked Box Mitre Plane With Stepped Gunmetal Bridge

Cast iron mitre planes are notorious for cracking or chipping around the back of the mouth area, due to the thin nature of the angles required and the pressures involved in holding down the cutter. It is an unfortunate circumstance of low angle planes of this type, and this particular box mitre infill plane is no different.

What does make this plane stand out from the rest in this regard, however, is that its been rather well repaired by inletting a strip of steel along the full width of the rear of the mouth. By implementing this repair (which can be seen in the last photograph) the restorer has ensured that this plane will continue to function well for many years to come. It should be noted that, in the case of wooden planes, you will normally see repairs done to the front of the mouth to extend the working life of the plane, rather than the back of it.

This is a well made hand plane, with a very attractive shaped Brazilian rosewood wedge and finial and stepped gunmetal bridge featuring a cupid’s bow design along the top edge and a simple beaded edge on the bottom. This bead is also repeated on the end of the wedge itself. The front and rear rosewood infills are nice and tight and show no signs of shrinkage.

This is one of the larger box mitre planes you’ll find, measuring 12″ in length and 3″ wide, with a thick 2-1/2″ wide Ibbotson cutting iron. The mouth is reasonably tight — especially for a cast plane. Needless to say that the heft of the plane is quite substantial.

A well made and heavy mitre plane suitable for all types of end grain shooting as well as general work on difficult timbers.

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