Stunning plane with many unique features. Is it a presentation plow? The main body is entirely dark ebony. The fence is a very rich dense rosewood and has a full boxwood wear strip dovetailed into it. The large fence locking nuts appear to be ebony or a very very dark rosewood while the smaller fence nuts are a very grainy rosewood or similar species (note the contrast in the photos). The screw arms are boxwood with tiny ebony finials on each end. The wedge is very grainy similar to the small locking nuts but darker. There could possibly be 4 or 5 species of wood on this plane. The depth adjusting screw and plate are nickel plated with brass screws for contrast as are the octagonal inset 'washers' where the brass screws hold the arms to the fence. Stamped BENSEN & CRANNELL ALBANY on the toe. CA 1850 and likely their top of the line offering, a presentation plane, or possibly a special order.
This was recently found 'in the wild' and I have gently cleaned it. Condition overall is excellent with an undamaged tote tip and overall good screw arm threads. The fence and main body both have a small chip on their top left corners respectively and the wedge has a couple of slivers off at the top. One of the small lock washers was split and has been glued. Overall condition is a solid 8.5/10 which is remarkable for a plane of this quality that is almost 200 years old.
**All edge tools may need to be sharpened/honed before use**
