Norris A4 Coffin Sided Smoothing Plane

Thomas Norris is arguably the most well known of the traditional infill plane makers due, in part, to his unique and innovative cutter adjustment mechanism. Though a relative latecomer to infill plane making, Norris made up for it by producing some of the finest planes imaginable and incorporating new designs into his product range.

While Norris planes are quite common, albeit expensive, there are certain model numbers that are more scarce than others. The A4 is one of them. It may simply be that the potential users of the day demanded a plane with a handle, whether open or closed, rather than one without (as in the case of the A4). Whatever the reason, finding an A4 in good condition is always nice.

This particular example is in excellent condition. Made from between 1913 and 1923 (in which the design of the adjuster changed), the dovetailing is tight and the Brazilian rosewood infill is fine. The lever cap is stamped “NORRIS, A4, LONDON, PATENT ADJUSTABLE” and the cutting iron is 2″ wide.

According to the catalogues, the firm of T. Norris (later T. Norris & Son) was established in 1860. By 1872 the business was at 71 York (St.) (Rd.) in Lambeth, London, later moving to Sycamore Grove, New Malden in 1914. By the late 1940’s the company was in decline, and finally ceased operations sometime in the 1950’s.

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