18th Century ELIJAH BASSETT Slitting Gauge – Revolutionary War Soldier

While this is certainly one of the simplest gauges I’ve owned, I consider it the most significant. The head and stem are marked by plane maker and Revolutionary War soldier, Elijah Bassett. AWP5 suggests this was Elijah Bassett born in 1754 in Taunton, Mass. While there is no written record yet discovered of E. Bassett as a tool or plane maker, there are a number of planes known marked by him that would suggest he at least made planes for a short time circa 1780. AWP5 rates this mark 4 stars for rarity, indicating there are between 10 to 50 known planes of his. While planes made by men who served in the Revolutionary War frequently come to market, other woodworking tools made by them seem to be incredibly rare. This gauge being the only tool I’m aware of other than planes made by a Revolutionary War soldier. The fact that this gauge was made and fashioned by the hands of a man who served and fought during the American Revolution is incredible to me. And the fact it has survived in such wonderful condition over the last 250 or so years is equally impressive. Overall length is 10-3/4 inches, and the head measures 3-3/4 inches wide. A special tool and a piece of American history.