Thread: Acorn no 4 Restoration

Hello everyone!
This is my first post on the forums so I do hope that I've chosen the correct location for it, if not please redirect me!

I recently found this Acorn No. 4 at a swap meet and picked it up for $25. I believe it to be one of the earlier versions, perhaps from before the Stanley take over.


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After doing a good deal of digging, and realising that there isn't much info out there on the Acorn brand. I've come to you all for some help! I did do a forum search, and found some info, but most is what I have already garnered from the internet, so while I feel it is a long shot, if anyone has more pictures or links to other acorns from the early era, I would appreciate it. Otherwise, enjoy the pics!

After removing much of the rust with steel wool and vinegar, the japanning, which was heavily chipping, looks to be black - which I have gathered is from the earlier versions of the Acorn planes. I haven't found the exact dates when this changed to burgundy or red, and I would love if someone could specify for me!

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On my version the front nob has a plain countersunk bolt, while the back is a threaded rod with a brass nut. I found one mention on the Uk workshop forums that mentioned this being an important bit of information, as the later models apparently had threaded rods for both the front and back handles. Can any one confirm or direct me to some real info on this?

The frog has no adjusting screws, which I believe is another thing that can be used to indicate age. The lever cap had what I believe was a nickel coating - also heavily chipping.

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After polishing up the iron, I found the following mark which I believe to say "MADE IN SHEFFIELD VANADIUM STEEL"

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The totes appear to have originally been a dark cherry-ish hue? Though not much of the colour remained I did find a good deal of it inside the hole for the threaded rod and a bit on the top of the rear handle.
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I've cleaned up much of the plane, but have yet to finish the totes or fully polish the metal and re-hone the iron. However, here are some pics of it at the current stage. I used a black enamel paint for the body as the japanning was in poor condition.

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I'll post more pics when complete, but in the mean time, if any of you have any info on the early Acorn hand planes, I'd love to hear/see it!
Thanks all!
Raff

EDIT:
I did forget to mention that I was also curious about Henry Taylor Tools, also out of Sheffield. Is their Acorn brand in any way related to the Chapman Acorn?