This is a Georg Ott Woodworking Plane with the 1927-1952 style mark. I am trying to determine if the extensive carved decoration was done by the factory, or instead was carved by a prior owner. The decorations include a sailing boat on one side and an American flag on the other. I haven't been able to find another one with any kind of carved detail like this one. Has anyone seen anything like this? Thanks! ... Dave
It is beautiful. My pure guess would be that it was done after the fact. I would expect factory decoration to be pressed rather than carved, but that's just a personal opinion cut from whole cloth.
Send pix to my friend and neighbor Lee Richmond. I've done biz with him both buying and selling and was always pleased. If the plane is rare or unique I'm sure he'd be interested in it. http://www.thebestthings.com/sellingtous.htm
Thanks all! It went up on eBay last night (#371455554305) and is getting above average attention. It looks like it should be a good one.
It's very nice.....I hope it does well for you......maybe even putting you on a different plane.....of existence !!
What is that line around the foot in front of the blade? It looks like it was maybe broken and glued?
Here's the detail on the front seam - yes, it is a removable piece. The misalignment is my fault, the piece has a little bit of room to move until it is tightened using the wingnut on the top.
Thanks for the xtra pictures. I'm wondering why that piece would be "removeable." Looks like the design was carved in not pressed as you can see tiny knife cuts in places. The vertical shaft and wing nut were there when the carving was done because the carving on top works around the wing nut. However the placement of the wing nut seems odd to me as it would get in the way of the user being able to grip the plane with one hand on the rear and the other hand over the front. But I don't know much about tools and would appreciate learning something.
I've wondered too how this was held and used. The Ott planes typically have a rounded wooden piece on the top to hold on to. This model was different than the others I saw.
Here's one that might be same model, uncarved. Same green logo on top and same wing nut, so the carving is the only difference from new one, it seems. http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ULM...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Thank you! Great to see what it looked like unmodified. The mark is later and I see some small differences (e.g. the metal trademark tag is inset further, with a beveled edge surrounding it), but no doubt about it being the source.