Sargent hand plane

[Dave Lehnert]

I picked up a Sargent 3411 transitional hand plane today. I am not familiar with this brand. Who were they? Years they were made etc...
Is it worth anything before I strip and repaint and polish it?
I figured it was worth the $25 asking price so it came home with me.

[Bob Barkto]

Sargent was a contemporary of Stanley and Millers Falls. They made a full line of hand tools (started with pliers). The company was founded around 1870.
Some of their tools, planes included were quite good. Like all of the old line tool companies quality began slipping after WW2. I think they completely stopped making ww'ing tools in the early or mid 60's. Like Stanley and MF they also made tools for Sears and a few other major department stores throughout the years.
Today they make telecom industry tools.
Here's a link to the current site with some history;
http://www.rostratool.com/historical.asp

The plane might be worth a little more than $25. I'd hesitate to do anything drastic until you know more. But it's not very rare from what I've seen. Would probably make a fine user, their transitionals were typically well made.