This is believed to be one of the first Sargent bench planes made. It has the early unusual tote that is very rare and hard to find. The “409” is stamped in the bed and not cast (or raised) indicating a first run series. This plane was most likely made circa 1887.
This is featured in the The Sargent Hand Plane Reference Guide for Collectors & Woodworkers – Second Edition and Sargent Bench Plane Identification Guide – The #400/#5400/#1400 Series,
David Heckel mentions in “Sargent Planes Identification and Value Guide Second Edition” that the handle on this plane had “at that time” only been reported on a #408 & #418 plane. We have now found it on a #409 as well.
