Hello Galoots!

I spent a well-needed morning away from work at the flea market today. 
Ran into fellow Galoot Chris Winter and spent several hours enjoying 
the beautiful fall weather, and picking up a few tools along the way. I 
found a couple of interesting things..

First is a marking gauge.. Nothing extra special, but I can't identify 
its maker. I'm hoping someone can. It's rosewood with brass fitting. 
The distinguishing feature is the small inlaid brass circles that act 
as wear plates. Does anyone know if a particular maker used this 
feature?  Pictures here:

http://www.hyperkitten.com/pics/tools/tmp/marking_gauge1.jpg
http://www.hyperkitten.com/pics/tools/tmp/marking_gauge2.jpg

Next up, a set of planes, well, a set of four identical small coffin 
smoothers.. The dealer I bought these from said they came from the 
estate of a well-known 19th Connecticut businessman.  The four planes 
are identical in every aspect- same length, bedding angle (50 degrees), 
blade maker (Moulson), blade usage (almost used up), and owner's mark. 
The only differentiating feature is that they are stamped  2, 3, 4,  
and 5.  They were made by W Hoffman, a New York maker working from 
1856-87.  I though it was peculiar to find four identical planes.. any 
ideas why one would want four of the same plane? Pictures here:

http://www.hyperkitten.com/pics/tools/tmp/quadruplets.jpg

-Josh in CT-