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ID #SA1232460
FOR SALE
£4,000
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Incredibly Rare Norris London 51g Smoothing Plane
For sale by Carse Antiques
for sale €4,680     $5,080
£4,000

Carse Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2011
Browse dealers 198 items
  • About Us
    Specialists in georgian and earlier furniture
  • Trade Associations
    Carse Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA 
Id #SA1232460
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Incredibly Rare Norris London 51g Smoothing Plane

1900 - 1920
For Sale by Carse Antiques
Description

INCREDIBLY RARE early Norris of London No. 51G steel based GUNMETAL adjustable parallel sided smoothing plane in very good original condition. Gunmetal lever cap with 51G stamped on it. Stunning rosewood infill with fully enclosed rear handle. 1913 patent adjuster. Good length original thick Norris parallel iron and backing iron with 1 1/2" left to the slot. Overall condition in extremely good. 

This is only the second example of this particular Norris plane I have ever seen, the only other example was sold in a David Stanley Auction over 20 years ago that then subsquently appaered for sale on ebay.

VERY RARE !!!!!!!!

For the full range of antique tools we hold please visit; www.toolbazaar.co.uk

We hold the largest stock of pre-owned, antique and vintage woodworking tools in the whole of the UK

Declaration

Carse Antiques has dated this Norris 51g Smoothing Plane to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1232460
Dealers Internal Reference
T5087
Dealers Notes

Full member of LAPADA.

Please note UK carriage prices quoted are for MAINLAND UK only and do not include Northern Ireland, Scottish islands etc. Postage costs quoted cover all areas.

Description
INCREDIBLY RARE early Norris of London No. 51G steel based GUNMETAL adjustable parallel sided smoothing plane in very good original condition. Gunmetal lever cap with 51G stamped on it. Stunning rosewood infill with fully enclosed rear handle. 1913 patent adjuster. Good length original thick Norris parallel iron and backing iron with 1 1/2" left to the slot. Overall condition in extremely good. 
fig 1. An antique Norris London 51G smoothing plane featuring a gunmetal frame, dark hardwood infill, and adjustable steel cutter.
fig 1. Incredibly Rare Norris London 51g Smoothing Plane

This is only the second example of this particular Norris plane I have ever seen, the only other example was sold in a David Stanley Auction over 20 years ago that then subsquently appaered for sale on ebay.

VERY RARE !!!!!!!!

For the full range of antique tools we hold please visit; www.toolbazaar.co.uk

“
We hold the largest stock of pre-owned, antique and vintage woodworking tools in the whole of the UK.
Carse Antiques
Date of Manufacture

Carse Antiques has dated this Norris 51g Smoothing Plane to the 1920s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1232460
Dealers Internal Ref
T5087
Carse Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2011

Specialists in georgian and earlier furniture

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Carse Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

Carse Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA 

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An antique Norris London 51G smoothing plane featuring a gunmetal frame, dark hardwood infill, and adjustable steel cutter.
1 / 9
Archive I An antique Norris London 51G smoothing plane featuring a gunmetal frame, dark hardwood infill, and adjustable steel cutter.

Incredibly Rare Norris London 51g Smoothing Plane

Archive II An antique Norris London 51G smoothing plane featuring a gunmetal frame, dark hardwood infill, and adjustable steel cutter. View II
Archive III An antique Norris London 51G smoothing plane featuring a gunmetal frame, dark hardwood infill, and adjustable steel cutter. View III
Archive IV An antique Norris London 51G smoothing plane featuring a gunmetal frame, dark hardwood infill, and adjustable steel cutter. View IV
Archive V An antique Norris London 51G smoothing plane featuring a gunmetal frame, dark hardwood infill, and adjustable steel cutter. View V
Archive VI An antique Norris London 51G smoothing plane featuring a gunmetal frame, dark hardwood infill, and adjustable steel cutter. View VI
Archive VII An antique Norris London 51G smoothing plane featuring a gunmetal frame, dark hardwood infill, and adjustable steel cutter. View VII
Archive VIII An antique Norris London 51G smoothing plane featuring a gunmetal frame, dark hardwood infill, and adjustable steel cutter. View VIII
Archive IX An antique Norris London 51G smoothing plane featuring a gunmetal frame, dark hardwood infill, and adjustable steel cutter. View IX
Enlarged Archival View

Carse Antiques
Telephone 01821 670 770 or 07734 345 652
Location
The Mill Room
Rait Antique Centre
Rait
Perthshire
PH2 7RT
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/carse
Verified Since Mar 2011
Items For Sale 198
Items Sold 3,085
Carse Antiques
Verified Since Mar 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: The Mill Room, Rait Antique Centre, Rait, Perthshire, PH2 7RT
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/carse
Verified
Mar 2011
For Sale
198
Sold
3,085
An antique Norris London 51G smoothing plane featuring a gunmetal frame, dark hardwood infill, and adjustable steel cutter.
Incredibly Rare Norris London 51G Smoothing Plane
Ref: SA1232460
An antique Norris London 51G smoothing plane featuring a gunmetal frame, dark hardwood infill, and adjustable steel cutter.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSmoothing Planes
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleEarly 20th Century Craftsman
  • MaterialGunmetal, Brass, Steel, Hardwood
  • ColourBrass and Dark Brown
  • MotifsGunmetal body, Dark timber infill, Knurled adjuster, Stamped lever cap

This early twentieth century smoothing plane comes from the workshop of Norris of London, presenting an example of high craftsmanship from the period. The body is formed from gunmetal and steel, paired with dark brown hardwood infill that includes a fully enclosed rear handle. Brass hardware components appear on the body, including a knurled adjuster and a stamped lever cap bearing maker details. The steel cutter blade sits within the adjustable parallel-sided frame, showing the original thick parallel iron and backing iron. The surface displays minor signs of age and handling wear across the metal and timber sections, while retaining a complete profile. Measuring 20 cm in length, the plane sits compactly on a workspace. It functions as a display object or a working tool on an office desk within a gentleman's library or study today, bringing historic woodworking design into a contemporary interior.

FAQs

An infill smoothing plane is a specialised woodworking hand tool constructed with a heavy cast-metal body lined with dense hardwood. Developed primarily in 19th-century Britain, this design combines the mass and stability of metal with the smooth glide of wood, allowing craftsmen to execute fine finishing cuts on difficult grain.

Norris planes typically feature cast gunmetal, iron, or brass outer bodies combined with high-grade steel cutting irons. The internal infills and totes are crafted from dense hardwoods such as Brazilian rosewood or mahogany to absorb operational vibration.

Authentic pieces are identified by maker stamps on the steel blade, lever cap, or brass adjuster mechanism, usually stating Norris or Norris London. Additional markers include precise dovetailing on built-up steel bodies, heavy gunmetal castings, and fine knurling on adjustment screws.

Historic hand tools are often styled as tactile sculpture on open bookshelf displays, office desks, or mantelpieces within industrial or traditional study interiors. Their combination of aged brass, dark timber, and steel provides geometric texture when paired with leather-bound books and understated ceramics.

Preserve metal surfaces by applying a light coat of microcrystalline wax or fine machine oil to prevent oxidisation and rust. Keep timber infills hydrated with natural wax polish, and store the tool in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct moisture.
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