A very scarce Irish pattern chariot plane by WM McMASTER of Church Lane, Belfast.

Currently only the second McMASTER chariot plane we know of, the other sold in the USA at one of Brown's tool auctions in 2021.

A little online research reveals that William McQuoid McMASTER founded the business in 1896.  Formerly a joiner at the Harland & Wolff shipyard, an accident left him with two broken wrists and unable to continue his employment.  Rather than using his tools, he decided he would sell them and opened his first shop in Ann Street, moving to Church Lane in 1910.  He supplied tools to tradesmen across Belfast including the Harland & Wolff shipyard, once the largest shipyard in the world.  The tools used to build the RMS Titanic luxury liner, launched in 1911, were bought at McMASTER's shop.

Although the dates and places fit, we cannot prove, nor disprove, that this plane was used in the fitting out of the Titanic.

The shop closed in 2018 but an online search will result in details of its fascinating 122 year history.

This Irish pattern chariot plane is of cast iron with cupid's bow detail to the bridge and marked 'McMASTER CHURCH LANE BELFAST' at the toe.

Patches of the original red finish remain.

Irish pattern mahogany wedge.

Fitted with a good length and probably original 1³/₄ inch laminated MARPLES uncut blade iron.

No previous owner's stamps.

A few minor surface knocks, scratches, pitting and staining spots, please see images.

7¹³/₁₆ inch sole length.

A fine example of a rare plane.