Wreckers,

First up, the Stanley Bench Plane dating page marks this as a #4
Smoother, Type 9, made between 1902 and 1907. Two patent dates, plus
the lack of a frog adjustment screw.

Pop was born in 1899, so my guess is that this was HIS father's plane.
I'll ask Mom and see if she remembers whether or not her Grandfather was
a woodworker.

I reground the iron straight--its bevel was crooked and
rounded--managing not to turn anything blue. Scary sharped the iron.

Here's how I set it up:

I have the cap iron set back the width of a screwdriver tip--this should
probably be set closer, it's closer to 1/16th than 1/32nd.

I'm not sure about the frog adjustment. I put it back on the original
marks showed it was. I tried moving it further forward but that proved
too far forward to allow the blade to move. If anyone knows how best to
set the frog on this plane, I'd love to hear it.

Finally, it's tending to dig in. Is there any good way to reduce the
backlash in the iron adjuster? I'm finding it difficult to strike the
best balance between too shallow and too deep a cut.

Meanwhile, I'm making shavings, trying to get them nice and wispy . . .
though I'm occasionally tempted to get out the sandpaper . . I'm
practicing on Piney wood, plus some oak and maple offcuts I've lying
around.

Stay tuned.