W Allen (small mark)

Fitting Walter Allen into the Craftsmen's World of SE MA and RI ca 1780's

by Michael Humphrey

      Walter Allen, like so many of our known early planemakers, was a fine and prolific builder. If he was the maker of the few [small imprint] W. Allen planes which still survive [and that seems likely], then he probably made them early in his working career.

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      Walter was in Smithfield, RI from 1784 onward, and in Mendon, MA from 1780 to 1784. He entered the Continental Army in 1778, so he could have been working in an unknown location for a short period between the war and Mendon. Prior to his war service, Allen apprenticed in New Bedford, MA. W Allen planes are rare, but neatly made, displaying an array of style features used by other known planemakers from Southeastern MA and Rhode Island during the 1770’s and 1780s. One sash plane [GAWP 5] has an ogee molded shoulder, and a separate hollow plane has a cove molded shoulder, so he made planes over some period of time.  While his style features are specific to a certain region and period, they point to no other, single maker as the inspiration. On the hollow plane, Allen used chamfer stops with strongly tipped steps and bold, chiseled turn outs, very much like those on late Chelor planes. The molded shoulder on Allen’s sash plane also points to Chelor [or to John Nicholson], but Allen’s closed tote looks most like a Jo Fuller [three dot], or a Charles Dupee, or R Dyer; not just like a Chelor. The finial on the hollow plane wedge is oval with a moderate relief, not flat backed like many late Chelor planes.

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      E Taft and S Partridge, the two known Mendon planemakers, used chamfers stops somewhat similar to Allen’s on the hollow plane, but less tipped, and more delicate. In addition, an existing E Taft closed tote is similar to Allen’s, but only similar. Both Taft and Partridge used flat backed finials, unlike Allen.

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      Interestingly, Allen put long, shallow flutes onto the corners of the hollow below the chamfer stops. That feature is rare, but is seen on I Iones [Holliston] planes, and on planes made by H Healy and R Marsh.

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      For certain, we know that Walter Allen built fine homes in Smithfield, RI around the turn of the 19th century, and it is likely also true that he made planes in Smithfield, MA or in Mendon, MA, probably in the 1780’s.

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