Antique Transitional Wood Hand Plane Dated 1901 C. Lewis

Antique Transitional Wood-Body Hand Plane — Hand-Inscribed and Dated 1901 Circa 1880–1910. Before power tools defined the workshop, a craftsman's skill lived in his hands and in the tools he trusted enough to put his name on. This is one of those tools. Carved directly into the wooden body are the words "C. Lewis. S" and the year "1901" — a hand-inscribed owner's mark, not a manufacturer's stamp or paper label. Someone marked this tool as his own, in his own hand, more than 125 years ago, and that inscription remains clearly legible today. In the antique tool world, a dated, hand-inscribed piece like this carries a sense of history that anonymous tools simply don't. What it is: This is a transitional hand plane — the type that bridged two eras of toolmaking. The wooden body connects it to the centuries-old craft tradition that preceded industrialization, while the cast-iron Bailey-pattern frog, lever cap, and brass depth-adjustment wheel belong to the precision engineering that transformed North American woodworking at the turn of the twentieth century. That blend of wood and iron is exactly what makes transitional planes appealing to collectors and woodworkers. Planes of this type built the furniture, homes, and cabinetry of a continent. They were working tools, made to last — and this one has. Details: Type: Transitional hand plane (wood body, cast-iron frog) Mechanism: Bailey-pattern frog, lever cap, brass depth-adjustment wheel Body: Solid wood, original Hardware: Cast iron and brass Owner's inscription: "C. Lewis. S / 1901," hand-carved into the body Era: Circa 1880–1910 No visible maker's mark (sold as unmarked/unbranded) Condition — honest and fully disclosed: This is a genuine antique in honest, used condition consistent with its age and working life. The wooden body shows deep patina, worn grain, and age cracks and end-grain checking, including a split near the toe — all visible in the photos and entirely typical of a wood-body plane of this age. The iron components show darkening, oxidation, and surface wear. The owner's inscription is complete and clearly legible. All major components are present and the plane appears structurally sound, but it is sold as found, as a collectible and display piece, and would benefit from cleaning/tuning if a buyer wishes to return it to use. Please review all photos closely, as they form part of the condition description. A wonderful piece for collectors of antique tools, woodworking history, and primitive Americana — or as a characterful display piece with a genuine story attached. Local pickup available in Calgary, Alberta.