Reply to message from vanmaren2@p... of Thu, 13 Aug
>
>with a full radius ground on the business end. I can't identify the wood
>under the patina but the screw arms and nuts (perfect threads) _might_ be
>boxwood and the rest of the parts seem to be too grainy for boxwood.

Like other wooden planes, these were usually made from beech.  If the
screws aren't boxwood, then they are likely a fruitwood of some sort.

>
>Do the assembled sages have any consensus as to the age and value of this
>beast? The shop owner is asking $100 and I might be able to get him down
>$10 or so. So whadda ya say, pass or buy it?
>

About 10 mile snorth of here there is an antique mall with about a dozen
plow planes divided between two dealers.  Few of them are in as good
condition as you indicate, and those that are are typically priced at
$100+.

At this mall you can at le4ast sometimes get 10% off the tagged price.