V&B No 4½C Smooth Plane
Refer to the Early Series ‘Uncle Sam’ Bench Planes for a general description of this line.
Specifications:
| Plane Type: | Smooth Plane |
| Features: | Adjustable, with screw adjustment for cutter |
| Manufactured: | Unknown, but probably <1919 to 1921 |
| Length: | 10 inches |
| Cutter Width: | 2⅜ inches |
| Construction: | Cast iron body, Walnut handle & knob |
| Finish: | Japanned (black) |
| Price (1922): | N.A. |
| (1923): | N.A. |
| (1927): | N.A. |
| Uses: | General purpose bench plane |
Please check the Value Guide For V&B Planes page for relative prices.
Additional Notes:
As far as I can determine, the Number 4½C did not appear in any known catalogs, advertisements or price lists. I believe that these are early planes manufactured before the release of the 1922 catalog, rather than latter-made planes when the company was winding down their planemaking operations.
There is at least one example of the Number 4½C with a drop forged body. That particular plane, finished in the traditional (post 1923) light gray color scheme, can be seen below. The lever cap was cast with “4½”.
It is possible that Vaughan & Bushnell experimented with adding the Number 4½ and 4½C to the 900 or 700 Series of planes, but used remaindered lever caps instead of manufacturing new ones.
