GGs,

I asked, "...what this tool is/was used for?"

And Tony comes back with, "...Looks to be some sort of inside rabbet
plane. Was probably for a special job that someone needed to do."

To which Don added, "could be viewed as a smooth sized badger plane, but
that is a bit problematic since the name, badger, typically implies a
toted plane of jack size. Or, it might be thought of as a "Smooth [size]
Raising Plane"....

!!! Regretful snippage of scholarly tome per OT FAQ !!!

Hope this helps."

Yup. It does. You are right, the iron is G. Hattersly. The last few
letters are barely legible. The cap iron nut pocket for the screw
appears to be forged with the cap iron. There's no weld mark that I can
see and the surface fo the cap iron is profiled to the rectangular nut
in two directions.

The lady I purchased this from called it a panel raising plane. I wasn't
so sure about that but I needed one to make the rasied panels that will
be installed on the bench so I bought it.

Take my pick? I'm with Paul's seller. Badger plane.

Thanks to all who answered and provided much more information than I
had. The information available from this group is amazing. Thanks again.

Pete Mueller GPP, Michigan
> At 07:01 PM 5/7/04, cpmueller@c... wrote:
> >Galooterati,
> >
> >So many whatsits, so little time. Now that I can post some pictures
> >of puzzling planes, let me offer this one up. This plane looks like a
> >coffin smoother but one side of the base is straight, not curved. The
> >straight side has the mouth let in so the iron can snug up against
> >some work but it's not like a rabbet plane. And no nicker either.
> >
> >Find the pix here, all the way at the end: http://home.comcast.net/~-
> >cpmueller/wsb/html/view.cgi-photos.html-.html
> >
> >There are some other puzzling things about it too. Like what is
> >"shear steel?"
> >
> >I'd like to know what this tool is/was used for. Can anyone
> >please help?
>
> Wow..that's a find. Taylor & Son worked 1843-51. Rated Uncommon in
> Goodman's. Looks to be some sort of inside rabbet plane. Was probably
> for a special job that someone needed to do. That iron and signed cap
> are great!
>
> Tony
>
>
>                          Olde River Hard Goods

>                              350 West Catawissa Street Nesquehoning PA
>                              18240 570-669-9421 The best old tool
>                              store in Pennsylvania!
>                              http://www.oldetoolshop.com
>