Picked up a transitional razee (sp?) plane on eBay for little $, but the sole is split, top to bottom, fore of the mouth all the way to the toe, where the makers mark says "B. PLANE PATENTED OCT 22, 1889". Top of the cutter has some faint stamping I can't read yet. The plane is just over 10" long, with wood under all the metal (making this a #35, IIRC). The knob is missing some chunks at the base, but is functional.
My question is: can I repair this split with glue and use the plane with confidence, or do I have a paperweight? This is my first woodie (so to speak).
Dan