Description

Superb Gladwin Patent Combination Plane & Tool Handle – Japanned Finish – Patented April 9, 1878

A rare and multifunctional survivor from the golden age of American toolmaking, this Gladwin Patent Combination Tool Handle features the original japanned finish. Patented by Porter A. Gladwin of Boston, Massachusetts, this tool was designed to serve both as a handle for interchangeable bits and as a miniature plane.

🔹 Japanned cast iron body with crisp patent markings
🔹 Patented April 9, 1878 – U.S. Patent No. 202,105
🔹 Accepts a variety of tools—chisels, screwdrivers, and more
🔹 Integrated slot for a plane iron, transforming the handle into a small plane
🔹 Approx. 5″ long x 1¼” wide – compact and cleverly engineered

This tool exemplifies the inventive spirit of the late 1800s, when versatility and portability were prized by tradesmen. The japanned finish adds a layer of historical authenticity, as it was often used to protect metal surfaces while offering a sleek, utilitarian look.

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