Historical information
This plough plane is a hand tool that was used to cut grooves or rabbets into wood, for example for furniture construction. It was manufactured in Birmingham by Jenkins & Clark and imported or taken to Australia most likely in the nineteenth century. The several names imprinted into the tool imply that it may have been used by several unique owners at different points in time - J.O. Hart, Micl (likely Michael) Orgill, and D. Brown. Names may have been imprinted in the tool to prevent confusion in settings with many workers supplying their own tools.
Significance
Unknown donor but assumed to have been used locally.
Physical description
Wooden plough plane with brass fittings. Includes adjustable wooden clamp and removable wooden blade clamp. The blade slot cuts diagonally through the object. There are inscriptions on both shorter ends of the object.
Inscriptions & markings
On side opposite blade slot: 'JENKINS/&/CLARK/J.O.HART/MICL ORGILL/J.O.HART/D. BROWN'
On side near blade slot: 'D. BROWN/[upside-down] J.O.HART/MICL ORGILL/[upside-down] J.O.HART'
Subjects
References
- Jenkins and Clark Image of an advertisement for the manufacturer Jenkins & Clark in Birmingham, featured on Grace’s Guide to British Industrial History.
- Slater's General & Classified Directory of Birmingham, 1852-53 Full page advertisement for the manufacturer Jenkins & Clark in an 1852-3 directory in Birmingham.
