Birmingham B Plane with an Adjustable Mouth (AKA Derby #4 1/4)

Shop Timetestedtool's tool Store ......... Vintage Tool Parts liquidation......... See other Timetestedtools Sites

Something very very cool showed up in my mailbox today. This is a Birmingham B plane. Birmingham Plane Mfg Co made many cool planes, but this one seems to be undocumented.

Here I’ve compared it to my #4 B Lane, and there is no doubt, this was a Birmingham B plane #4, with an adjustable mouth.

I don’t believe this was ever produced. So maybe a prototype!! (see update below) (here is some Birmingham Plane History)

Its very similar to the Union #4 1/4 (see photos below)

Its does also have a movable frog, so I we may ask what’s the point? Where they trying to get somewhere they never got to?

Here are some side by side comparisons with a regular Birmingham B plane #4.

Edit 6/11/2-16

The B plane patent was given to George D. Mosher on October 22, 1889.
In 1900 Union Purchased Derby (Birmingham) Plane Manufacturing
1900-1903 Union only manufactured B planes
So B Planes would have been manufactured 1889 – 1903
But it’s obvious they changed bases to the Union style at some point, but when?
1904 Union started making the planes with their patented lateral lever (like on the x series)

Below is what “MAY” be an earlier Derby. Its the only one I have, and the base is not marked, so I can’t be certain at this point. If I can get more evidence that the plane base on the right is in fact a pre-Union Derby B plane, we have an answer of when.

Here are the pictures of the Union #4 1/4

Update:

We can see by this add that this is in fact a Birmingham B Plane made by Derby

See the other Birmingham post

See other Union Post

Additional Birmingham Examples

Birmingham "B" Plane #120 Block Plane

Birmingham "B" Plane #120 Block Plane Additional Birmingham Examples (My #120-030823-1)

Birmingham #103 Block Plane

Birmingham #103 Block Plane 5 1/4" long Blade is 1 3/8" wide Additional Birmingham Examples (My #103-010524-2)

Birmingham #120 Block Plane

Birmingham #120 Block Plane 7" Long 1 5/8" wide blade Additional Birmingham Examples (My #120-092520-1)

Birmingham #15 B Plane Block

Birmingham B Plane Block (Similar to the Stanley #15, Like the #9 1/2 but longer) And Like the Birmingham #9 1/2 except for length. This plane has the US Patent: 401,532 Bench-Plane Edge-gripping Plane Cutter Lateral Adjuster 7" Long, 1 5/8" wide...

Birmingham #26 Transitional B Plane

Birmingham #26 Transitional B Plane Additional Birmingham Post Additional Birmingham Examples

Birmingham #4 B Plane Smoother

Birmingham #4 B Plane Smoother Other Birmingham information ---> Additional Birmingham Examples

Birmingham #4 B Plane Smoother

Birmingham #4 B Plane Smoother Birmingham Planes ("B" Planes) Information Other Articles and post Additional Birmingham Examples (My #B4-0314232)

Birmingham #5 B Plane Jack

Birmingham #5 B Plane Jack This plane was stripped and refinished. Additional Birmingham Posthttps://www.timetestedtools.net/category/hand-planes/birmingham-or-b-planes/ Birmingham...

Birmingham #9 1/2 Block Plane for Parts or Display

Birmingham #9 1/2 Block Plane for Parts or DisplaySee photos and video for condition and repairs Length 6" Blade width 1 5/8" Additional Birmingham Examples (My #9 1/2-022523-5)

Birmingham 6" Block Plane

Birmingham 6" Block Plane (Something Like a Stanley #120) This one has a Broken Lever and has been restored. It was in extremely bad shape when I got it. US Patent: 413,329 Additional Birmingham Examples (My...

Birmingham 6″ Block Plane (Simplest)

Birmingham 6″ Block Plane (Simplest) Blade is 1 3/4" wide Additional Birmingham Examples (My #B-032523-2)

Birmingham 7″ Block Plane (Simplest)

Birmingham 7″ Block Plane (Simplest) Restored Blade is 1 3/4″ wide Additional Birmingham Examples