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Sandusky No. 141 Center Wheel Plough Plane 
c1875

      Let me preface this by saying that I am not an expert or even a novice when it comes to wooden body planes. I do know a rare example when I see one and after finding this Sandusky center wheel plough plane in a local antique mall,  I recognized it as such, even with my limited knowledge of the subject. 

      After a not too exhaustive search for information about plough (plow) planes I was able to learn that the Sandusky Tool Company was established in or about 1869 in, (where else) Sandusky Ohio. They produced a varied assortment of tools and implements to fulfill the needs of a growing agricultural society as the USA expanded its borders westward. Probably better known for thier production of wooden planes of all shapes and sizes, Sandusky became more involved in the patented development of a couple of iron planes, to include the Morris patent "waffle or checkerboard" bottom plane and later the patented "Semi-steel" bench plane. 

 

Plough planes have indeed been around a long time. Useful in wood joinery plough planes come in many shapes and sizes and have been around in one form or since Roman times.  It would seem that the adjustable wheel plough planes have a much more recent history and it would also seem that there were not many patents attributed to their development. At any rate this particular Sandusky center wheel plane came into development after the end of the Civil War and first appears for sale in the early 1870s and until the 1920s. It should be noted that a similar example of a presentation piece of ivory and ebony, believed made for the 1876 Philadelphia Exposition celebrating the Centennial anniversary of the USA, sold at auction for around $110,000.00. 

Anyone reading this that has additional information about the development of this plane is invited to contact me at tools@mknickel.com. I'd love to learn more. Until then, pay less attention to the narrative and more to the photos of this lovely example.

I'm also looking to replace the broken ivory tip. If you have the skill and material to take this on, please let me know. Thanks.

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