Wood Plane

[stewey]

I just came across an old wood plane, and it's body is actually made of wood. It looks like it might fit into the antique tool category. Stamped on the nose of it is a crown symbol with the capital letters "PD" underneath. I'm assuming that this is the mark of a British Govt. Department. Anyone have any ideas?

[Tilly2]

Parks Department?

[stewey]

Hi, Tilly2. I don't think that your Government would have such a department. Wouldn't the maintenance of parks be up to each municipality? I really don't know.

[Tilly2]

You are right, stewey. Parks department is a bit provincial.

Pensions Department.

[carrust]

http://www.acronymfinder.com/Military-and-Government/PD.html
Try this list

[stewey]

Thanks, carrust. Quite a few choices there; however, I can't see one that would logically fit. Perhaps this tool is so old the department no longer exists?

[jomifl]

Yes Stewey, wood planes used to be made of wood and it may well be an antique because in those days tools were handed down from generation to generation and lasted almost forever. I do a bit of woodworking when necessary and have a wooden smoothing plane that I bought in a junk shop for £2. It produces a far better finish than the modern electric stuff and doesn't have an irritating cable to get caught in almost everything nearby. Does the plane have the necessary metal bits?

[society]

Stewey, are you a hoarder? :)

[hc4361]

It's the manufacturer's mark - Peter Duessing

[jomifl]

hc, how on earth did you come up with that? any idea of age?

[stewey]

The blade, blade-holder. and adjusting nut are all present. The only part that I would say is is poor condition is the shim that holds the blade in place. (Hope I used the right terms:)) HC, I'll check into that name. Would he have been allowed to use the crown symbol? Society, I.m just going through some of my fathers old tools.

[hc4361]

Peter Duesing was a Dutchman and was using the Dutch crown.

[hc4361]

jomifl, Google is my friend.

"You are bidding on two Dutch hollow wood molding or moulding planes as pictured.
The larger plane is marked with a crown over "PD" which is the mark of Peter Duesing, a very important and early figure in Dutch plane making history"

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/peter-duesing-dutch-wood-molding-moulding-plane

[hc4361]

And:
"The most common markings were those of the firm Nooitgedagt (JN under a crown) and Peter Duessing (PD under a crown) which were produced somewhere between the end of the 19th century and the start of the twentieth."
http://thomasguild.blogspot.co.uk/2012_03_01_archive.html

[Tilly2]

Wow, this is amazing. Isn't Google wonderful. I'm so glad it's been found. That's a good piece of news for you, stewey.
Well done, hc!

[society]

I love to go through my 'old' or neglected stuff too. I always find things of interest.

[stewey]

Thanks, people, for all your comments and especially to hc4361: great stuff. I'll do some research on PD tomorrow as Mrs stewey wants to go grocery shopping right now. They always pick crazy time don't they?:)