Sargent No. 306 Block Plane
as illustrated in the Sargent catalog of 1911.
Sargent V.B.M Adjustable Iron Planes.
Patented March 21, 1893, July 6, 1897 and April 24, 1906.
Iron Block Planes.
Screw Adjustable and Adjustable Mouth.
Patent Side Adjustment for exact adjusting of the Cutter
with the Face of the Plane.
Highly Polished Trimmings
No. 306, 6 Inches, 1⅝ Inch Cutter, . . . each, net $1 15
Note: The above information has been reproduced from an original catalog listing.
Specifications:
| Plane Type: | Block Plane |
| Features: | Adjustable, with screw adjustment and adjustable mouth |
| Manufactured: | From 1887 to 1953 |
| Patents: | March 21, 1893 (lateral adjustment) (Granville H. Wright) |
| April 24, 1906 (throat adjustment) (Henry B. Sargent) | |
| Length: | 6 inches |
| Cutter Width: | 1¾ inches (1887 to 1909) |
| 1⅝ inches (1910 to 1953) | |
| Construction: | Cast iron |
| Finish: | Japanned. Highly Polished Trimmings (1887 to 1948) |
| Japanned. Nickel Plated Trimmings (1949 to 1953) | |
| Type 1 | 1887 to 1893. See “Additional Notes” below |
| Type 2 | 1894 to 1909. See “Additional Notes” below |
| Uses: | General purpose block plane |
Please check the Value Guide For Sargent Planes page for relative prices.
Additional Notes:
Type 1 planes had a thin body casting and a lever to secure the lever cap. The earliest planes have “SARGENT & CO.” cast into the body (1887 only). Type 2 planes had a thin body casting and a turn-wheel to secure the lever cap. After 1909 the method of securing the lever cap reverted back to a lever-locking device.
According to David E. Heckel’s “Sargent Planes Identification And Value Guide – Second Edition” (page 36) the Sargent Nos. 306 and 307 were probably among the biggest sellers in the Sargent line of block planes. They were available over a longer period, and the body style was the inspiration for almost 20 other models, including the #316, #317, #606, #607, #1206, #1207, #1216, #1217, #1306, #1307, #1316, #1317, #1606, #1607, #4306, #5306, #5307 and #5607.
