No.97

The No. 97 is the big brother of the 5-1/2 X 1-3/8 No. 55. The lever cap is secured with a tension wheel. The iron adjustment is controlled with a paddle extension lever that rocks the iron depth adjusting seat back and forth moving the iron very slightly. The iron has a series of micro grooves that engage a matched set of ridges on the depth adjusting seat. If the cap is overtightened and the lever is forced, the grooves on the iron, and or the ridged on the seat will be stripped.

The No. 97 was never rebranded for another companies. Unlike planes like the No.75 and No. 87 that were sold under different brands, there was no need to remove the embossed name and number from the bed until the mid-forties when the external knob screw was introduced.

The plane has a fixed mouth and is bed at 20 degrees with a bevel up configuration.

Type 1 Configuration 1929 to 1944 – six different changes.

• Millers Falls name and number are cast around the front finger support.

• The iron landing has a full surface with no recess.

• The mouth is very narrow - 7/64”.

• Lever cap is painted red.

• Type 1 iron.

• After the initial release, the name and number are stamped on the cheek.

• Short time later the caps are black.

• 1936 Type 2 iron, 1939 Type 3 (see irons for more details)

• 1942, Knob is a stained hardwood.

Type 2 Configuration 1945 to 1960

• The mouth has increased to 13/64”.

• Iron landing has a recessed area.

• The embossed Millers Falls name and number are removed from the casting.

• Knob is secured to the bed with a 10-24 flat head machine screw.

• 1949 - Iron trademark changed to “Solid Tool Steel”

• 1949, Knob is made of rosewood.

• 1956, Knob made of tropical Goncalo wood.

• The June 1960 price sheet no longer lists the No. 97.