Bergs Australian Tools plane

[Frank&Earnest]

The HTPAA site tells me that the plane in the picture is a Continental Smoother made in Alexandria NSW between the late '40s and the mid '50s. The round brand is incised between the handle and the throat, but there is no brand on the blade. I remade the missing part in Jarrah, to make it evident that it is a restoration.
I sent an email through the HTPAA site to ask the following questions 6 weeks ago, but had no answer. Hope this forum is more helpful.:D

1- were the original blades all branded or is still possible that this blade is original?
2- the varnish would not appear to be original, should I strip it?

All advice much appreciated.

[Heavansabove]

1. Some blades were branded (one I used to have was marked), some not.
2. Usually very roughly finished, so pretty hard to make it worse.

Cheers
Peter

[Frank&Earnest]

Thanks Peter, much appreciated. I will just put linseed oil on the replaced bit and leave the varnish until I can be bothered stripping it, then. I just wanted to keep a consistent look with my other "period" planes, but on the other hand this is the only "colonial", all the others are Pommies... :D