Historical information

Router planes are not the same as modern power routers. The simplest answer is that a router plane is a chisel held at adjustable vertical depths in a block of wood or metal. An antique-style router plane is mainly used for levelling out the bottoms of dado joints, mortises, and when installing hinges, inlays, and tenon cheeks, and similar other uses. There are three main categories or styles of router planes
the earliest type of these is affectionately referred to as an "old woman's tooth", or "Grandma's Tooth". These planes can be as simple as a block of wood with the iron wedged in, and some have wedges with brass thumbscrews.
Most of these router planes were shop-made tools their bottom flat so they can ride along the top of the wood, and the iron is adjusted to the desired depth by moving it up and down with your fingers.

Significance

An interesting vintage joinery tool used before mechanical routers with early examples often sought after by collectors today. The subject item was probably made in a joinery workshop for a specific need in regards to producing a specific type of profile. As a result, even though the item appears to be quite old it has no makers mark, age and provenance are unknown.

Physical description

Router Plane Old Woman's Tooth pattern wooden stopper for holding the blade in place.

Inscriptions & markings

None