Markings on woodie plane

[Mike Givney]

I know I've seen the answer to this question but, cant remember where... Can anyone tell me what the stamped roman numerals on the tang of a wooden molding plane (early 1800's American) might represent?

[Zach Dillinger]

Match marks. They specified which iron, wedge and body went together in the manufacturing process. Each part was custom fit to each other, so you had to keep them together.

[Mike Givney]

Makes perfect sense! Thanks Zach.