At 10:24 AM 3/20/2006, Scott Matthews wrote:

>J T Brown 1 1/4" wide blade round over
>Cannot find any reference to planes by J T Brown.  Possibly previous owner?
>Tang of cutting blade is marked W. Butcher.  Other blades are not marked.
>Web seems to indicate this is an after market blade from England.  Possibly
>a "home made" plane?

Nope not at all.  John T. Brown was a plane and edge tool maker in 
Baltimore MD 1824-1843. His planes are rated 1 star for rarity 
meaning that there are between 250 and 500 known examples.  The W 
Butcher iron is correct for that vintage tool and if my some what 
intermittent memory is semi-functional this AM, I recall haveing had 
1 or 2 of his planes with Butcher Irons.

I'll let someone else answer the technical questions, save to say 
that complex moulding planes for making cuts on outer round surfaces 
are pretty much non-existent.  You will occasionally see one that is 
a  compass or inner round plane but those are pretty scarce as 
well.  Here is a picture of one from my stash

http://oldetoolshop.com/jointer/miscpics/rplane5a.jpg

A scratch stock which is a scraper cut to a specific profile will 
work the best for what you are looking for.

Welcome to the porch.

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  

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