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28931 <Steve_Bussell@i...> 1997‑10‑21 Info on Mathieson Infills
Does anyone have a good source for info on
Mathieson and Sons, Glasgow, infill planes?
Any catalog reprints or information to on the general
company history and how to date/type a particular
Mathieson smoother?
Any info and/or direction would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve


29066 Don McConnell <Don.McConnell@a...> 1997‑10‑22 Re: Info on Mathieson Infills

Steve_Bussell@i... wrote:
> 
> Does anyone have a good source for info on
> Mathieson and Sons, Glasgow, infill planes?
> Any catalog reprints or information to on the general
> company history and how to date/type a particular
> Mathieson smoother?

I have a reprint of *selections* of the eighth edition (1899) of the
_Illustrated Price List of Wood Working Tools Manufactured by Alexr.
Mathieson & Sons, Ltd._ put out by Ken Roberts in 1975.

This was a large manufacturing firm of long standing.  Alex. Mathieson
worked at Saracen Lane in Glasgow 1792-1851 as a plane and edge tool
maker. His son, Thomas A. Mathieson joined with his father in 1853 to
form Alex. Mathieson & Son. The Saracen Tool Works had been established
by 1873 and had become A. Mathieson & Sons, Ltd. by the 1899 date of the
price list.

Roberts states that the last entry for the firm at Glasgow appeared in
the 1854 Glasgow Post Office Directory [surely he means 1954?], and the
company became a dormant subsidiary of Record Ridgway, Ltd.

The price list shows Trade Marks for Mathieson goods of three different
qualities.

"For Best Quality."     a crescent moon (horns up) with an eight  
                        pointed star

"For Second Quality."   a crescent moon with a simple cross

"For Second Quality."   "Crossmark Keen & Co., Glasgow"

"For Third Quality."    "G     Tertius Keen & Co."

Roberts includes two pages of "Wrought Steel Planes" of the infill type.
A  brief listing:

SMOOTHING PLANES, Wrought Steel, Dovetailed, Fitted with Rosewood, 
                  Gun Metal Lever
#842-Improved, without Handle
#843-Improved with Handle
#844-Parallel Sides, with handle
             Extra.- close Handle, to Nos. 843 and 844

PANEL PLANES, Wrought Steel, Dovetailed, Fitted with Rosewood, 
              Gun Metal Lever.   
# 845 - various sizes (11 1/2" to 16 1/2" in length)

JOINTING PLANES, Wrought Steel, Dovetailed, Fitted with Rosewood,
                 Gun-Metal Lever
#846- In lengths from 20 1/2" to 26 1/2"

MITRE PLANES. Wrought Steel, Dovetailed, Fitted with Rosewood,
              Gun-Metal Lever
#847-Improved
#848-Plain

RABATE PLANES, Wrought Steel, Dovetailed, Fitted with Rosewood,
               with Wedge
#849- One Iron, Square
#850- One Iron, Skew
#851- Two Irons, Square
#852- Two Irons, Skew     (Note, the two irons are for rebate and 
                          bull-nose use.)

SHOULDER, THUMB, CHARIOT, AND BULL-NOSE PLANES
#853- Shoulder Planes, wrought Steel, Dovetailed, fitted with 
                       Rosewood and Wedge
#854- Thumb Planes, Wrought Steel, Dovetailed, fitted with 
                   Rosewood, Gun-Metal Lever
#855- Bull-Nose Planes, Malleable Cast Iron, with Rosewood Wedge
#856- Bull-Nose Planes, Gun-Metal, with Ebony Wedge
#857- Chariot Planes, Malleable Cast Iron, with Wedge
#858- Chariot Planes, Gun-Metal, with wedge
                   
                         
Not all of the illustrations show a Trade Mark, but those that do have
the crescent with star logo - i.e. "For Best Quality."

Hope this is of some help

Don McConnell
Knox County, Ohio

P.S. I've been instructed to tell you that Larry Williams says "Hi."  
8-)



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